Fed up residents living near a historic Lancashire seafront and bay say they are fed up with ‘large, luxury’ campers and campervans descending on them in the summer months.
They claim Morecambe’s picturesque seafront is being spoiled by a plague of holiday vehicles, even reporting examples of ‘vans with mattresses in the back’. Instead of using local campsites, residents say visitors are exploiting the lax rules on the boulevard – which they say is now becoming clogged by dozens of “increasingly larger” vehicles.
Earlier this year it was claimed that a large bus carrying tourists from Windermere had been parked all night, and ‘lights could be seen in the cabin until the early hours’.
Residents say the tourists are not contributing to the economy by spending money at local businesses and are endangering public health with toilet waste.
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Michael Dickson Glen lives in the Thornton Road area, near the Hazelmere hotel building. He said: “I bought a retirement apartment overlooking Morecambe Bay. It’s a beautiful area and people pay a premium for the view. I pay the highest rate of council tax to live here. But there are campers and other all along the Vans were parked on the boulevard blocking the view.
“Why don’t they go to real campsites? It only costs £12 to get connected and have good facilities like showers. I’ve seen people throwing toilet waste on the street. But it’s the main road with Morecambe beach just below. They’re very smart when it comes to parking near drains. I’ve seen that happen three or four times.
“I’ve asked them why they don’t go to campsites? I never get a good answer. They say their vehicles are taxed and insured. Or they tell me to fuck off. These are people in the 50s age group who should do better know.”
As spring holidays and the summer season approach, there are calls for new, clearer rules for campers and other campers along Morecambe’s promenade, and for action to prevent people staying overnight in vehicles along the prom, Lancs Live reports.
In the past, the municipality has been asked to provide special places for coaches. Marine Road resident Suzanne Smith expressed her anger and concern about the alleged problems.
She said: “This is about parking in Marine Road, especially outside where I live. I used to live elsewhere in Morecambe but moved to my current house in 2021. I speak on behalf of a number of residents. I experienced some dissatisfaction from some campers and decided to seek advice from the police.
“All summer long we have had to deal with a white wall of campers and disrespect from the owners. It is not good for the mental health of the residents. The owners of these huge luxury vans put very little into the local economy. They spend very little, but get amazing views of Morecambe Bay for days. There is also litter, maintenance work, water and wastewater.
“I saw some water flowing straight to the beach. Unfortunately, it was not an isolated incident. But by the time environmental department personnel arrive, the vehicles have usually already left.”
Tourism is vital to the area’s economy and opinions vary on what should be done. Some residents are pressuring councilors to take action, and the issues have been raised in city, town and county councils. Opinions differ on the types of restrictions that should be imposed, such as the size or type of vehicles or the hours during which vehicles can remain.
Michael Dickson Glen added: “I go for a walk around the prom most mornings around 6:30. The other day I passed a man and heard the unmistakable sound of him urinating. I asked what he was doing? He said what it has.” what had to do with me? I said I live across the street. He gave me a lot of verbal abuse.
“So I took a photo of his vehicle’s license plate and called the police. The police arrived around 9:30 am. They were quite sympathetic, but the man and the vehicle were gone. But police said it wasn’t a complete waste of time because, based on the photo of the license plate, the vehicle was not insured.
“But it’s an ongoing battle. When I suggest drivers go to the golf club, all I get is verbal abuse. People tell you to hurry up. It’s only gotten worse over the years. We have a The holiday is coming coming and there will be a lot of these vehicles… How can they ever justify parking all day at the prom and not spending any money in town? They arrive full of glasses, wine, beer and food. That’s really annoying too.
“Also, some vehicles are parked here all winter. They are probably owned by locals, who do not have enough space at home to store them.”
He added: “I have spoken to a lot of people – councilors and MPs. Everyone is furious with me. Several council members are looking at it. But it needs to be addressed because if it isn’t, it will only increase with Eden. Project coming.
“Personally, I would like campers and campers to be banned from the boardwalk at all times. They should have good facilities elsewhere. But other people think they should just ban me overnight.”
Margaret Pattison, a Labor city and county councillor, has recently raised the issues at several levels, including Lancaster City Council and Lancaster City Council. The municipal government operates some off-street parking lots, while the province generally manages on-street parking. People say the parking situation is unclear and authorities are looking at a wider overhaul of Morecambe’s parking and traffic system.
She said: “It is clear we want visitors to come to Morecambe, but residents want to see checks on the promenade car parks and night-time issues addressed. We need good places for RVs and RVs to go – maybe a new parking lot?
“I recently came home late and saw a prom bus at 3am with the lights on and steam coming out the windows. People sleep in vehicles at night and cook with gas stoves. It can be very dangerous.
“I told the highway people at the county council about health and safety issues. They say the entire parking and traffic system in Morecambe is being looked at ahead of the Eden Project.”
Coun Pattison added: “Morecambe gets quite a lot of publicity these days. It appears on TV. Tyson Fury runs past the ball. John McGuinness [the motorcyclist] emphasizes the city. The Eden Project is generating interest. The Winter Gardens. Morecambe is a good place with good people and businesses. But we need to get the boardwalk and RV arrangements right.”
Paul Hart, a Lib-Dem councilor for Poulton, has also raised concerns. He recently told Lancaster City Council that RVs are getting bigger.
He said: “There are campers, campers, vans, buses and even tractors parking along the beach. There have been vans with mattresses in them. I’ve heard rumors about online bookings. People arrived in cars and stayed overnight in vans. But it can get very complicated and there isn’t always proof, as far as I know so far.
“There are also issues about the money spent in the local economy and the views of Morecambe Bay. Some camper visitors do go to cafes and spend money. Some may spend money in local supermarkets but not in the cafes or shops along the coast. Some people say these vans take up parking spaces that could otherwise be used for a car carrying a family of four, who would spend more money. Some say these vehicles spoil the view.
“As council members, we are under pressure from residents and businesses. It is important that we get this situation in order for everyone.” Both councilors said Morecambe City Council had also looked at the issues and raised them with Lancaster County Council.