The expansion of an overnight ban on campervans being parked on the North Yorkshire coast following a ‘displacement of problems’ has received a mixed response with one critic describing it as “a missed opportunity”.
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 in 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.
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.
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Readers had their say on the expansion of the ban in the comments section of The Press website and on Facebook.
Christine said: “I don’t have a campervan, but there are some lovely places to visit in the UK – just sort out where it’s legal to park if not using a camping site.”
She added: “I think people get annoyed when campervans park up anywhere and leave rubbish. You get people like this from all walks of life and it’s not nice I wouldn’t like it. I have a caravan, so always use a camping site.”
David commented: “This is what happens when the council doesn’t react positively to the demand. Just think of the money they could make.”
Diane said: It’s not fair on residents who are affected by this.”
Scarborough resident, Julia, said she supported the expanded ban as “now there are none overnight outside our house”.
William commented: “Scarborough has missed an opportunity, like it or not. It’s shot itself in the foot on this one.”
Michelle suggested: “They could solve this conundrum tomorrow if they just opened the grasslands at the old indoor pool for campervan overnight parking, as it used to be for years without any problems.”
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