Lancashire seaside resort could ban campervans and motorhomes on promenade overnight

Campervans and motorhomes could be prohibited from overnight stays on Morecambe's promenade and in car parks managed by Lancaster City Council, as councillors debate potential measures. Concerns over tourism, environment, public health and safety have been raised recently about certain types of holiday vehicles in Morecambe.

While visitors are welcome and expected to increase with developments like the Eden Project Morecambe, there are calls for camper van owners to utilise proper camp-sites, caravan parks or other overnight parking areas equipped with appropriate facilities including for chemical toilet waste. Accusations have been made of camper-van owners monopolising seafront parking spaces, obstructing views of Morecambe Bay, contributing little to local businesses and, in some instances, disposing of toilet waste down kerbside drains near the beach and promenade.

There are also concerns about potential fires or gas explosions, with reports of people cooking inside vehicles at night in residential streets. Typically, the city council manages off-street car parks while the county council oversees highways and on-road parking arrangements.

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Various issues have been brought up at recent Lancaster City Council meetings, including by councillors Paul Hart and Margaret Pattison. Now, action plans have been proposed by Margaret Pattison and councillor David Whitaker, who have prepared a motion for the upcoming full council meeting.

The motion reads: "This motion is not to stop campervans and static caravans from visiting Morecambe. It is designed to stop overnight parking on our highways and council car parks for environmental and health-and-safety reasons. Highways are for temporary use, to move on, as well as car parks.", reports Lancs Live.

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"Lancaster City Council notes the concerns raised by residents with regards to the increased volume of camper-vans and motor-homes parking overnight on Morecambe promenade. This includes the impact on accessibility of the promenade, and the visual, environmental and health-and-safety impact upon a prominent part of the district.

"This may affect tourism and the local economy. And there is potential for reputation damage to Lancaster City Council for perceived inaction, despite the issue of highways and on-road parking falling under the authority of Lancashire County Council."

"This council therefore resolves to engage with partner organisations including the county council and Lancashire Constabulary, to seek authority to enact a ban on overnight parking on Morecambe promenade for camper vans and motor-homes.

"Also to initiate a ban for overnight parking across all Lancaster City Council car parks for camper vans and motor-homes. And to establish a working group with partner organisations to explore alternative locations which can be used by camper van and motorhome users in the district."

The motion will be debated at next week's full council meeting.