Skegness officials are looking into plans for reopening car parks on the coast - but fears have also been raised about the move.
Coronavirus restrictions have begun to have been relaxed with people now able to travel anywhere in England and there are concerns the decision to open car spaces could send mixed messages.
Vehicles were pictured parked in Skegness on Saturday, May 16, as people started returning to the seaside for the first time since lockdown rules were relaxed by Government.
Lincolnshire Live reported there was a steady stream of tourists arriving in the area – and spoke to one person who had travelled 70 miles to enjoy the sunshine.
And Nottinghamshire Live reported how police issued a stark warning to people planning to visit Skegness at the weekend to "think about the impact".
Council leader Craig Leyland said the area was not as busy as it would have been on a normal weekend and says the authority wants to ‘dissuade’ people from visiting the coast.
But he said opening car parks could deal with congestion.
“The messaging is still consistent, that we’re looking to dissuade people from visiting at the moment but it’s very clear that people are coming to the coast,” said Councillor Leyland.
He added: “I think the difficulty for us is if we open the car parks, it will be seen as a signal that we’re open for business.
“The rationale for opening the car parks will be to deal with the congestion and the chaos it’s caused.
“It’s a slightly convoluted message, but at this point in time, because everything else is shut, we are not trying to actively promote the coast.”
Deputy Chief Constable of Lincolnshire Police, Jason Harwin, said the majority of people had been complying with social distancing but added there had been concerns raised.
He said officers would be reviewing what happened at the weekend to make sure appropriate facilities were in place and people were reminded of the guidance.
However, he recognised the changes in government guidance, adding: “The difficulty is if people turn up or car parks aren’t open, they’ll find somewhere else to park.
“What we’re trying to do is minimise the impact on the communities that already live there.”
Ashley Cornish, 30, a ground worker from Nottingham, had taken his family for a day on the beach.
He said: "I don't see a problem with coming here. The Government says you can.
"If you keep 2m away from other people then it will be OK."
Carolyne Fearon, 55, had ridden her Triumph bike 70 miles from near Hull with her friend Ivan Hall, 54, who rode a Kawasaki.
She said: "After the rules were relaxed on Wednesday we decided to have a ride down along the country lanes.
"Skegness does seem a lot quieter than usual but I kind of like it like that.
"We're on our own but we have noticed other bikers in groups and you're not supposed to do that."
Ivan said: "We brought our own food as we weren't sure what places would be open.
"It would be nice if public toilets were open. You don't want to have an accident but where are people supposed to go?"
But two residents in the area were left anxious.
Skegness resident Nicola Cook, 52, said she is concerned about the risk of infection in an area which has had relatively few cases so far.
She said: "I wish Boris Johnson had not said people can travel anywhere they like.
"The infection rate has increased in the UK and I think it is very worrying to start having visitors again.
"We have relatively few cases here but I worry that won't be the case if lots of people come."
Husband Richard, 38, said: "There’s no parking, no toilets, what are people going to do?
"I just cannot understand why anyone would travel 100 miles to look at the sea.
"We have a six-month-old grandson we cannot see and we only live half a mile apart yet visitors can come here."
