An overnight parking ban for motorhomes on the North Yorkshire coast has been expanded into residential areas of Scarborough following thousands of complaints about displaced campervans.
An overnight ban on the parking of campervans on the North Yorkshire coast has been expanded following a ‘displacement of problems’.
A controversial Experimental Traffic Regulation Order (ETRO) in Scarborough and Sandsend – which was made permanent this spring – has been expanded to include new areas in the original coastal resort, which is popular with campervan owners.
The expansion of the overnight ban on motorhome parking in Scarborough follows thousands of complaints from residents who are “waking up to campervans outside their windows, disposing of grey water, and hanging up laundry on their hedges” as a result of displacement from the ban.
The new trial ban prohibits all motor caravans from parking on Belvedere Road, Holbeck Road, Esplanade Crescent, and Sea Cliff Road between 11pm and 7am, year-round. A consultation on the scheme is open until February 2027.
Cllr Rich Maw, who represents the Weaponness and Ramshill division on North Yorkshire Council, said:
“Unfortunately, we have been forced to act to protect residents from the behaviour of some campervan owners hitching up for extended stays, disposing of grey water into surface drains and even hanging washing on garden walls and hedges.
“This new ETRO may not have been necessary had the Royal Albert Drive ban been less of a blunt instrument. I warned at the time that simply moving campervans on could displace the problem into residential areas.
“An aire-style scheme in Marine Drive was not seriously considered and really could have been a much better answer.”
He added:
“It would have sent a completely different UK-wide message to visitors too.”
An aire-style scheme is designated overnight parking for motorhomes.
An Experimental Traffic Regulation Order (ETRO) was introduced in 2024 to restrict overnight parking at Sandsend, Royal Albert Drive, and Cayton Bay after North Yorkshire 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 ban was made permanent in March this year.
However, a trial in Cayton Bay was abandoned after signs were repeatedly vandalised and thrown off a cliff.
Executive member for highways and transport, Cllr Malcolm Taylor, said earlier this year:
“The tourist economy in Scarborough and Whitby is vital to prosperity in the area, but we must try and strike the right balance between all road users.
“The trial ban on overnight parking was introduced following an increase in people going on holiday in motor caravans, spending long periods of time in the same place and often taking up several parking spaces.”
Residents on the Scarborough streets which are now included on the expanded list and who are owners of a motor caravan can register their vehicle with the council so that it will be exempt from the ban.
A council report states:
“Experimental Traffic Regulation Orders are a useful tool as they allow us to trial a restriction in a “live” situation for up to 18 months, with the consultation period running alongside the trial for the first six months.”
It adds:
“An ETRO is flexible as it allows for immediate feedback and minor changes within the first six months; if changes were made, the six-month consultation period would start again.”
Responses to the consultation must be in writing and received by the closing date of the consultation period on February 22, 2027.
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