Campervans and motorhomes are set to be banned from parking on a popular seafront road from next month, following complaints from residents about vehicles dominating the area.
East Suffolk Council has revealed that from July 7, it will be implementing an experimental Traffic Regulation Order for Undercliff Road East in Felixstowe, creating car-only parking bays along both sides of the road.
The ban comes after concerns that larger vehicles were “damaging the footways and limiting opportunities for residents and visitors to access the beachfront easily”, according to council members.
The experimental order will be assessed throughout the summer period to determine its effectiveness, with the possibility of modifications before formal adoption.
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The council hopes the parking ban will make the roads less busy
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The new arrangements will include dedicated parking bays for disabled badge holders with a three-hour time limit “to ensure they can be used by all those who need them”, the council stated.
Designated motorcycle parking bays will also be introduced, while double yellow lines will be painted on junctions to improve safety and visibility.
To facilitate the changes, parking on a section of Undercliff Road East will be temporarily restricted between June 30 and July 18, with the council warning that vehicles parked during this period may be towed away.
Unlike the time-restricted disabled bays, the cars-only parking spaces will have no time limit, enabling longer stays for visitors to the seaside area.
Councillor Tim Wilson said: “These road improvements, which directly address concerns raised by the local community, will provide more parking spaces for cars and motorcycles, as well as additional parking for drivers with disabilities.
“Undercliff Road East is unsuitable for the high volume of large vehicles which visit during the summer months, and these layout changes will encourage these vehicles, including campervans and motorhomes, to find alternative parking.”
The improvements resulted from collaboration between Suffolk Highways, East Suffolk Council and Felixstowe Town Council to address safety concerns, particularly regarding larger vehicles parking partially on pavements.
This practice was causing obstruction issues, especially for wheelchair users and those with pushchairs, the council explained.
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More campervan parking bans have been introduced in the past few years
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The area’s popularity amongst the camping community had grown significantly, due to the area having free tap water, public toilets and direct beach access.
However, residents have been urging Felixstowe Town Council to introduce parking restrictions, with some complaining that campervans were parked on the road for months at a time.
Councillor Seamus Bennett explained that overnight camping and parking of motorhomes has become excessive in the area.
He said: “Dozens of very large vehicles park for days or weeks and effectively turn this stretch of seafront road into a free campsite, which it was never meant or equipped to be.”
Motorhomes and campervans have been found to be clogging up streets at the seafront area
PA
Alternative parking for larger vehicles will be available at Manor Terrace, Landguard, Garrison Lane and Golf Road, where overnight parking will be permitted for a maximum of three days with no return within seven days.
Signage and larger bays will also be introduced at these alternative locations to accommodate campervans and motorhomes.
Councillor Paul West noted that “the campervans have been offered an alternative parking solution” as part of the arrangements, while the experimental order aims to find “a lasting solution for the residents of the town”.
Previously, campervan owners had highlighted their contribution to the local economy through the use of shops and pubs, with some suggesting a 24-hour time limit might better balance competing needs.
