Campervan Parking Changes Lead to "Over 2000" Reports of Displacement Issues

A Scarborough Councillor says local residents have made over 2,000 complaints as a result of camper van parking changes.

A councillor representing a local division of North Yorkshire Council has demanded that the forthcoming review of the area’s Experimental Traffic Regulation Order (ETRO) relating to overnight campervan parking comprehensively assess the impact of displacement effects, claiming that over 2,000 incidents have already been logged.

Councillor Rich Maw, who represents the Weaponness & Ramshill Division on North Yorkshire Council, asserts that the ETRO, introduced in November 2024, has not managed the issue effectively, but has instead merely "redistributed the problem".

The trial order was designed to prohibit overnight parking for motor caravans in specific high-profile areas, including Sandsend, Royal Albert Drive in Scarborough, and Cayton Bay, for an 18-month period.

Cllr Maw called for an urgent revision of the order, stating in a letter to officials that the consequences of the ban have been "disastrous" for residents.

Attributing the rising issues to the displacement effect, Councillor Maw offered a stark assessment of the current situation on residential streets:

“Since the introduction of the experimental traffic regulation order last November, many residents in my division have reported serious displacement effects.

Camper vans are now parking directly outside homes overnight, discharging gray water into verges, using public taps, hanging washing on hedges, and in some cases causing noise and intimidation.

I'm aware of at least 2,000 incidents having been reported.

While the ETRO was in introduced in good faith. It is clear it has simply moved the problem rather than resolved it.”

According to reports logged regularly by residents and reported to Highways, police, and Cllr Maw, affected residential areas are suffering from issues that include the discharge of grey water onto public land and highways, the use of council-maintained garden taps for washing, washing lines and clothing hung on private hedges, and a noticeable increase in antisocial behaviour and noise late at night. Furthermore, some residents have experienced abuse or intimidation from a minority of overnight campers when challenged.

In seeking a "fair, practical solution", Cllr Maw requested that the officials preparing to review the ETRO give residents' reports serious consideration and urged that the order not be made permanent in its current form. Specifically, Cllr Maw requested that Royal Albert Drive be reinstated for controlled overnight motorhome parking, subject to appropriate monitoring and enforcement. The councillor also requested that if the ETRO is converted into a full Traffic Regulation Order (TRO), "additional restrictions be implemented in those areas now suffering from displacement, alongside appropriate signage and enforcement".

Previously, the council had implemented the ETRO following consideration of all highway aspects pertaining to motor caravan overnight parking. This action came despite the council receiving a petition with over 1,128 signatures opposing the proposed ban on Royal Albert Drive in Scarborough, with petitioners suggesting a modest charge for overnight stays. However, the council has not currently proposed introducing overnight charging, citing concerns that it would not alleviate adverse impacts on amenity and could exacerbate them.

In response to the concerns, North Yorkshire Council's Executive Member for Highways and Transportation, Councillor Malcolm Taylor, confirmed that the review will address the issues:

“I know that in your division in Ramshill what an unintended consequence if you like this has had.

I can confirm that consideration of any displacement impacts will be included as part of the review of the experimental traffic regulation order relating to overnight camper van parking not just in your division but also in Sandsend Royal Albert Drive and Cayton Bay.

And the options such as reinstating controlled overnight parking on the Royal Albert Drive coupled with proper enforcement and signage In affected residential areas will form part of the review.”

Cllr Maw acknowledged the shared ambition of "balancing residents’ amenity, visitor enjoyment, and the responsible use of our public spaces," but concluded that "the current arrangement has led to growing frustration and avoidable conflict".