Plans to find dedicated off-road space for campervans have taken a step forward after complaints of “foul smells” and "unsavoury businesses."
Last night’s meeting of Wirral Council’s tourism and culture committee heard that the overnight parking of campervans in Wallasey and New Brighton had caused health and environmental issues for locals, particularly between July 2017 and July 2018.
Kings Parade and Coastal Drive were the worst hit roads until a traffic order was brought in to stop campervans parking there overnight.
But to properly deal with the problem, councillors agreed that a suitable site for campervans in Wirral was needed.
Conservative councillor Lesley Rennie, who represents Wallasey, said one problem before the traffic order was brought in was information on the internet advertising New Brighton as a wonderful place to come where you don’t have to pay.
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Cllr Rennie said sometimes as many as 50 campervans would park in the main hotspots, but attracting people to Wirral should not come at the cost of peace and quiet for locals and a blight on the landscape.
The Wallasey councillor mentioned a number of informal businesses which operated in these hotspots, with one example being “unsavoury businesses” involving a certain number of females, which she said members could draw their own conclusions about.
There were also issues with the toilet facilities inside campervans, with a “foul smell” developing in one part of Coastal Drive as some chose to empty their toilets into green open spaces. She added that this still goes on occasionally today.
Although the traffic order has improved the situation in the New Brighton hotspots, Cllr Rennie said some campervans are now parking elsewhere in the local area and this may cause environmental issues in other streets near to the promenade.
Ultimately, the committee agreed to set up a working group in consultation with relevant stakeholders to explore alternative off-road sites with dedicated facilities for campervans.
