Council to review ban on overnight parking of motorhomes in Scarborough and Whitby after ‘thousands of complaints’

​An Experimental Traffic Regulation Order (ETRO) was introduced on the North Yorkshire Coast last November in response to an “unacceptable level” of overnight parking by motorhomes.

​However, more than 2,000 complaints have since been submitted by residents due to a “displacement effect”, according to local councillors.

​Speaking at a full meeting of North Yorkshire Council, Coun Rich Maw said: “Campervans are now parking directly outside homes overnight, discharging grey water into verges, using public taps, hanging washing on hedges, and in some cases causing noise and intimidation.

​“These incidents are being logged weekly by residents with the police and highway officers – in fact, I am aware of at least 2,000 incidents having been reported.”

​The Experimental Traffic Regulation Order (ETRO) was introduced to restrict overnight parking at Sandsend, Royal Albert Drive, and Cayton Bay after the council said the number of motorhomes using the specified streets had reached an “unacceptable level” and followed increasing complaints from members of the public.

​The authority said there were concerns about fire safety and antisocial activities and noted “inappropriate use” of litter bins and of “highway gullies and drains for the depositing of waste”.

​At the time, officers noted that “there are many other locations in the local area where motor caravans may continue to park unrestricted on the publicly maintainable highway”.

​Speaking at the council’s full meeting last week, Coun Malcolm Taylor, executive member for highways and transportation, said he was aware of “what an unintended consequence this has had”.

He told colleagues: “I can confirm that consideration of any displacement impacts will be included as part of the review of the ETRO related to overnight campervan parking in your division and in Sandsend, Royal Albert Drive, and Cayton Bay.

​Coun Rich Maw added: “While the ETRO was introduced in good faith, it is clear it has simply moved the problem rather than resolved it.”

​The representative for Weaponess and Ramshill asked that a review of “options such as reinstating controlled overnight parking on Royal Albert Drive, coupled with proper enforcement and signage in affected residential areas form part of that review before any decision is taken to make the ETRO permanent”.

​Coun Taylor, the executive member for transport, confirmed that “options such as reinstating controlled overnight parking on the Royal Albert Drive, coupled with proper enforcement and signage in effective residential areas, will form part of the review”.