A Morecambe resident has blasted camper van owners who she says use the town as a "permanent personal car park".
Susanne Smith spoke out while presenting a petition to Lancaster City Council at Morecambe Town Hall on Wednesday.
Her e-petition to the city council, signed by 113 people, calls for the council to provide facilities within Morecambe car parks for visitors with motorhomes or camper vans.
Miss Smith said that camper vans parked near her home on Marine Road East had caused "anxiety" for her and her neighbour.
"I experienced the nastiness of some of the motorhome owners, one of whom we recently had to take advice on from the police," she said, speaking to Lancaster city councillors.
"My neighbour and I originally started the petition because we are both registered disabled, we spend long periods at home, and right through the summer, we had to endure a white wall of motorhomes, and the disrespect of the owners getting us down and causing us anxiety.
"A good number of these owners are disrespectful, parking their big fancy caravans there for days on end, putting very little into the local economy, enjoying views across the bay free on a regular basis. This is something we as residents pay a high price for in property costs, council tax and maintenance charges, and spending our pensions in the town all year round."
She said that some motorhomes have been parked on the prom for months "using it as their own permanent personal car park".
"There are a number of car parks with amenities close by which already have drains carrying sewerage," she said.
"A few car parks could allow overnight parking with a set number for motorhomes, and a drain identified to allow sewerage disposal."
She said the petition had also been posted on Lancashire County Council's website, and therefore had been signed by a total of 347 people.
In response, Councillor Gina Dowding, Lancaster City Council cabinet member for planning, (pictured) said it was "a long standing problem" and that she understood Miss Smith's "frustration".
Councillor Dowding said: "There will be no incentive for camper van owners to park anywhere else while there continues to be free parking on Marine Road."
She said the city council had met with county bosses, who are in charge of highways in Lancashire, to ask for Marine Road parking restrictions.
A draft Traffic Regulation Order is in place but, she said, Lancashire County Council has asked for new pay-and-display facilities elsewhere on Marine Road to recoup any costs.
"That might not be palatable to people whose businesses might be affected by the introduction of pay-and-display," said Councillor Dowding.
We have contacted Lancashire County Council for an update and they will be providing us with a response in due course.
She also said that providing facilities for camper van owners to stay overnight in existing car parks would be costly, giving an estimated figure of more than £100,000 for provision of a toilet, shower block, fresh water supply and waste facility, plus additional annual costs.
"There are 72 sites in the district where camper vans are welcome to stay," she said.
"Do we want to enter that market of competing with the private sector, or just try to direct camper vans to these existing sites?"
Motorhomes/camper vans can already park in specified Lancaster City Council car parks, but sleeping in these vehicles on council car parks is not allowed.
The council's website has a list of car parks where motorhomes can park in the Lancaster and Morecambe district (note - search 'motorhomes' to find the relevant page).
Related Story: Morecambe motorhomes petition to be heard by council - Beyond Radio
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