Locals toast council parking ban on camper vans and motorhomes
Richard Evans, local democracy reporter
Llandudno residents say their lives have improved since the council placed parking restrictions on a busy road clogged by camper vans and motorhomes.
Last August Conwy County Council enforced restrictions on Gloddaeth Avenue, meaning holidaymakers could no longer park overnight as a cheap alternative.
Conwy intervened when caravans and motorhomes parked along the unrestricted stretch of road following the easing of lockdown regulations.
Last August council contractors painted single yellow lines the length of the dual carriageway.
Signs also now instruct people not to park camper vans or motorhomes on the road between 11 pm and 8 am.
The local democracy reporting service visited the area and spoke to locals.
One mum of two in her thirties was taking her shopping bags in when we asked her if parking had improved.
“Things have got much better since the council painted the yellow lines,” she said.
“It was terrible on the west shore, but things are much better now.”
Brian Latham is retired and also lives on the road.
“I have been here three years, but the camper vans don’t bother me,” he said.
Another mum asked not to be named.
“We used to get lots of camper vans parking on the road,” she said.
“There was never anywhere to park, but there are no problem now.”
Complaints
A spokeswoman for Conwy County Council commented: “Last year, restrictions were introduced on sections of Gloddaeth Street and Gloddaeth Avenue preventing motorhomes and caravans from parking on the highway between 11 pm and 8 am, due to specific concerns and complaints in this particular area.
“These overnight restrictions only apply to caravans and motorhomes and do not prohibit other vehicles parking and do not prohibit motorhomes and caravans parking during the day.
“Whilst we understand people are eager to get out and about and enjoy North Wales, we ask that everyone remembers to be considerate to others by complying with the law and looking after the environment, which includes disposing of litter properly. There are organised camp sites and other stopover options available.
“We are currently carrying out a survey to better understand motorhome and camper van use in the county, the type of facilities that are valued, and how their provision may be improved to benefit the economy, tourism, and local communities.
“We want to hear from residents who live in Conwy county and from motorhome and camper van visitors to the area. There’s been an excellent response so far. Thank you to everyone who’s filled-in the survey.”
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Da iawn. Ei angen yng Ngwynedd ar fyrder. Wedi alaru ar weld camper fans efo ‘GB’ ar eu plât rhif yn gwagio eu ty bach i’r afon ac yn rhwystro ffyrdd efo’u p[arcio rhodresgar. Cerwch yn ôl dros y clawdd y gwehilion ichi. Does ar Gymru mo’ch angen y cari-dyms di-foes.
Seems a sensible idea, though why anybody would wish to sleep overnight in a campervan on a busy road escapes me. It is much better to have the full facilities of a proper camp site. The trouble is, in parts of Wales at least, our favourite camp sites seem to have given up and gone over to static caravans. So one might reasonably ask, does Wales have enough quality camp sites? If there are not the camp sites then visitors will tend to wild camp.
I would argue that it’s not down to a lack of facilities, but because people want stuff for free.