INTERVIEWS: Your views on the Morecambe Promenade camper van ban controversy

The idea of banning overnight parking of camper vans on Morecambe Promenade continues to spark heated debate.

Mark Leece, a motorhome owner who is holding a protest event against efforts to ban the vehicles from parking overnight on the seafront, has spoken to Beyond Radio,

Mr Leece said a ban would be "discrimination" and discourage tourism to the town.

David Waddington, chair of Morecambe BID (Business Improvement District) has called for a chargeable parking area for motorhomes and camper vans as a compromise.

And many residents, camper van owners and local businesses have also had their say on the issue.

The protest event is being held at the Venus and Cupid sculpture on Marine Road East on Saturday April 12 from 11am. 

This comes after Morecambe Town Council put £20,000 aside towards a hoped-for Traffic Regulation Order to stop motorhomes from parking overnight on the prom.

This is in response to numerous complaints from residents over the past few years about motorhomes and camper vans staying on the Promenade for months on end.

Some of the vehicles, they say, cause nuisance and pollution, and block the views across Morecambe Bay.

Mr Leece, who travels the country in his camper van, said: "I think its all one-sided, I think it's discrimination.

LISTEN to Mark Leece and his partner Sioux talking about the camper van issue

"People who have bought motorhomes have spent a large portion of their retirement money to buy that motorhome and enjoy it," he said.

"I live full-time in my van. I've travelled all over. 

"I spend quite a bit of time in Morecambe because my partner Sioux has family in Morecambe. I spend a lot of my time in the Yorkshire Moors and Lake District and surrounding area.

"If I drove to Scotland, I don't sit in my camper van all night long. I'd go out to the local restaurants, I'd use the bars. I'd go and see what's around me. I am a tourist. I'm Morecambe's tourist."

Sioux said: "How can the council ban something before they have something else in place?

"The whole camper van community will say fine, we're not spending our money there any more. That's the problem Morecambe will have.

"There are people who don't have houses and live in vehicles. Some people get hostility, because you might have a perception of these people. Why can't we all just be kind? They're in that situation for a reason."

Morecambe BID is a company that spends money raised from town centre businesses, on improvements to Morecambe.

David Waddington, chair of the BID, has urged the council to reconsider a blanket ban, and instead look at bringing in a dedicated area for motorhomes to park overnight.

LISTEN to David Waddington from Morecambe BID

Mr Waddington is pictured below

"Whilst I understand the councils’ intentions to address issues associated with camper-van parking, I do feel there is a balanced and practical solution to this, rather than a total ban," said Mr Waddington.

"Surely we don’t want to discourage visitors to Morecambe, at a time when businesses are facing significant challenges?

"Morecambe BID, along with various local stakeholders, has long supported the establishment of a dedicated AIRE for motorhomes. 

"An AIRE (an affordable chargeable parking area for overnight motorhome stays, with or without services) would be a balanced response - addressing concerns about camper-van parking - while maintaining Morecambe’s appeal as a destination for motorhome tourists.

"The creation of an AIRE presents several benefits for Morecambe. It would generate much-needed income for the council through parking fees and associated services, yet ensuring the town remains an attractive stop for motorhome users. 

"The introduction of an AIRE also coincides with the development of the Morecambe Masterplan, which offers an opportunity to create a sensible solution for parking infrastructure. 

"For example, by exploring multi-storey car parks feasibility at the rear of the Promenade, that could free up public realm space along the sea front, while maintaining sufficient parking capacity. 

"This would enhance the visual appeal of the Promenade but would also encourage greater footfall in the town centre. The designated space from freed-up car parks could then accommodate, amongst other things, a thoughtfully-designed AIRE facility.

"Numerous towns, such as Blackpool, have implemented AIRE facilities with great success. 

"Failing to do so in Morecambe risks losing valuable tourism revenue to neighbouring towns.

"Rather than a blanket ban, I hope our councils and highways explore these viable alternatives and avoid a discouraging message to the camper-van and motorhome community. 

"On behalf of Morecambe BID and the businesses we represent, I urge the council to reconsider the blanket ban and pursue the exploration of AIRE facilities as part of a comprehensive parking strategy, outlined in the Morecambe Masterplan. 

"This approach would still address the concerns raised, while preserving the vital trade and tourism revenue that benefits our entire town.

"Let’s help keep Morecambe a thriving, welcoming, and attractive destination for all."

Beyond Radio also spoke to Morecambe business owner Tarnia Elsworth, of TP Financial Solutions, for her opinion on the issue.

"I can see where people are coming from with the negativity but on the other hand, I'm in meetings constantly where we're talking about the visitor economy, can we get more people into Morecambe to spend money. So I'm not sure a ban is the way to go.

LISTEN to local business owner Tarnia Elsworth

"My view would be, charge for it, at a rate comparable to a caravan site, which might give people a choice of whether to go to the caravan site or go on the Prom.

"I can't say it particularly bothers me. I think it maybe just needs a bit more policing when people start getting their washing lines out and draining their toilets where they shouldn't.

"But I think the councils should be really cautious about banning people from the town when it's not the most economically active area. I think there's probably a balance to be had there."

People have also been commenting on Beyond Radio's Facebook page about the issue.

Ian said: "One of the things I thought was really cool about Morecambe was how relaxed they were about motorhome users. I work away a lot in a motorhome and it can be be quite scary.

"Morecambe has a fantastic lump of land that has not been used for decades they could easily make into an affordable overnight parking area for motorhomes. Charge a reasonable rate and supply basic facilities and everyone is happy. People in motorhomes are not bad people. They pay their taxes the same as everyone else so this evil vitriol is not warranted at all."

Julie said: "Why can't they just go park on the camper van sites then instead of making the Prom horrible, especially when they empty their waste everywhere let dogs out loose, put clothes lines up on pavements and you wonder why we are kicking off when they don't respect the prom and locals."

Peter said: "Morecambe Prom is becoming a dumping ground for mobile caravans and cars for sale. The council need to take a leaf out of local council in Llandudno...it doesn’t happen there."

Kevin said: "As a campervan owner I hate to see abuse of the Promenade area. It reflects badly upon all van owners, most of whom are respectful. Let's hit the ones being disrespectful and leave the others alone. Personally a dedicated van park, like you find in Scotland at the Kelpies, would be a huge asset to Morecambe and bring people in."

Morecambe Town Council said the £20,000 is to "lay down the gauntlet" to Lancaster City Council and Lancashire County Council, in the hope they will provide match funding towards traffic measures on the Prom.

Councillor Clark Kent, chair of the town council's finance and governance committee, said in February: "We as a town council need to be showing that we are serious about the camper van situation in the area.

"We want to make city and county council stand up and listen to us, and work with us on it.

"Other towns in the area have been successful in banning motorhomes and camper vans on the Promenade. Why should we be any different?"

Lancashire County Council has responsbility for highways across Lancashire, and any change to traffic measures on the Promenade would need to go through them.

Motorhomes/campervans can currently park in specified Lancaster City Council car parks, but sleeping in these vehicles on council car parks is not allowed.

Lancaster City Council debated the issue at a meeting in November 2024, when it was said that camper vans and motorhomes parking on Morecambe Promenade is the "biggest complaint" among residents with "anger about it everywhere",

A motion called for an outright ban on the vehicles from parking in council-run car parks.

Following a lengthy debate, councillors instead voted to 'consider' a ban in Morecambe, rather than immediately banning them.

Read more: Protest to be held against ban on motorhomes parking overnight on Morecambe Promenade - Beyond Radio

Overnight campr van parking ban on Morecambe Prom moves step closer after £20,000 "gauntlet" - Beyond Radio

Overnight campervan parking said to be "biggest complaint in Morecambe" as ban talks continue - Beyond Radio

Vote to be held in Morecambe on overnight parking ban for campervans - Beyond Radio