Motorhome and campervan owners planning summer getaways have been urged to familiarise themselves with local parking rules after local councils across the UK introduced or extended restrictions on overnight stays.
The measures, which have been adopted in several popular tourist hotspots, such as North Yorkshire, have been designed to tackle congestion, protect local beauty spots and ease pressure on residents during the busiest months of the year.
However, concerns have been raised that stricter rules could deter visitors and harm local economies that rely on tourism.
Mark Sheppard, motorhome and campervan insurance specialist at Safeguard, told GB News one of the biggest challenges facing owners is the lack of consistency between different parts of the country.
“Regulations and restrictions actually change. There’s not one national rule for it,” Mr Sheppard said. “It tends to be different in different areas, which is the confusing part for motorhome and campervan owners.”
The warning comes as demand for motorhome holidays remains strong, with many Britons continuing to embrace staycations and flexible travel options, particularly due to the rise in prices of flights, prompted by the Middle East conflict.
Popular coastal destinations and beauty spots historically see a significant increase in motorhome traffic during the summer months, leading some councils to tighten overnight parking rules.
Mr Sheppard explained how local authorities are attempting to strike a balance between encouraging tourism and addressing concerns from residents.
New parking restrictions have been put in place to reduce the number of larger vehicles in the tourist areas
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GETTY“When you’ve got these larger vehicles in popular areas, local residents can become frustrated by the impact they have,” he said. “I think councils have probably felt they’ve had to do something, particularly in areas see a large influx of visitors during the summer season.”
However, he questioned whether restrictions alone represent a long-term solution or if “it’s a seasonal remedy for the problem, remains to be seen.”
Local authorities have increasingly faced pressure from residents over concerns motorhomes can contribute to congestion, place a strain on infrastructure and affect access to parking in busy destinations.
At the same time, businesses in tourism-dependent communities argue that motorhome owners provide a valuable source of income for local shops, pubs, restaurants and attractions.
Motorhomes and campervans have been dealt more parking restrictions ahead of the staycation boom | GETTY
Mr Sheppard warned introducing higher charges or tougher restrictions could discourage visitors from travelling to certain areas altogether.
“If you start imposing higher charges and more restrictions on vehicle owners just because of the type of vehicle they have, it’s probably going to dissuade people from going there,” he said. “You might see that there are more cons than pros.”
Despite concerns over parking restrictions, Mr Sheppard did note how motorists who receive parking penalties should not worry about the impact on their insurance premiums. “The key thing for owners is making sure they understand local restrictions and signage before they travel,“ he said.
Instead, he encouraged motorhome owners to carry out thorough research before setting off on holiday and to make use of designated facilities where available.
Motorhomes and campervans have faced several parking and road restrictions in the UK this year | PA
“There needs to be more readily available information on hotspots and areas people are travelling to,” he said. “There are often dedicated areas for motorhomes and campervans, so it’s about making sure people are aware of where they can and can’t stay.”
The popularity of motorhomes and campervans has continued to grow in recent years, with the market evolving beyond its traditional customer base. “Historically, motorhomes were seen as something for retirees, but that’s now changed,“ Mr Sheppard said.
He explained how Britons are using motorhomes and campervans as part of their full-time lifestyle. “With mobile working and the fact people don’t have to go into an office five days a week, they’re travelling around the UK and Europe while still working,” Mr Sheppard detailed.
Mr Sheppard explained how Safeguard has seen strong demand over the past year, reflecting wider growth across the leisure vehicle sector.
He added: “Motorhome owners need to be conscious they are driving larger vehicles, but at the same time, local authorities need to think about longer-term solutions rather than simply reacting when visitor numbers increase. As more people choose this lifestyle, it‘s something that will need to be looked at more closely in the years ahead.“