A controversial ban on overnight parking for motorhomes and campervans along a popular Yorkshire coastline could be overturned following a significant backlash from local residents and officials.
Ban Leads to "Unintended Consequences"
Scarborough Town Council has formally called for the trial prohibition to be "reconsidered," arguing it has created severe problems it was designed to prevent. The ban, enacted by North Yorkshire Council, currently covers the seafront's Royal Albert Drive, as well as Osgodby Hill and Filey Road in Cayton Bay and the A174 Sandsend to Raithwaite road.
The town council states the scheme has resulted in "unintended consequences," with vehicle owners simply moving into nearby residential areas instead. This displacement has shifted the issues of noise, waste, and parking pressure away from the coast and into local neighbourhoods.
Residential Streets Become Flashpoints
In a letter to the higher-tier authority, Scarborough councillors detailed the new problems emerging since the ban's introduction. "Following the introduction of the ban, many campervans have moved into residential streets that were never affected previously," they warned.
The councillors' letter elaborated on the fallout, stating: "This displacement has led to noise and disturbance during night-time hours, concerns about inappropriate waste disposal, competition for limited resident parking spaces, and increased tension between local residents and visitors." They concluded that the core issues the ban sought to address have now been pushed into areas where enforcement is more difficult and the impact on daily life is more acute.
Thousands of Incidents Reported
Councillor Rich Maw provided stark figures, revealing that residents have logged more than 2,000 complaints with police and highway officers since the restrictions began. He described vehicles parking directly outside homes, discharging grey water into verges, using public taps, and causing noise and intimidation.
North Yorkshire Council initially implemented the rules due to an "unprecedented level" of complaints about vehicles on the seafront. However, Scarborough Town Council now advocates for a new approach.
They propose that "a more balanced, controlled and enforceable approach" would better serve the community. Their suggested solution is to permit managed overnight parking on Marine Drive, which they believe would support responsible tourism while relieving the intense pressure on residential streets.
