Holidaymakers who favour motorhomes and campervans are about to face a rude awakening with the introduction of an overnight parking ban at a hotspot in Hampshire. A new restriction put in place by Hampshire County Council prohibits larger vehicles from resting in Keyhaven between 8pm and 8am.
Amidst rising concern, county councillor Fran Carpenter highlighted an increase in campervan numbers flocking to Keyhaven post-Covid: "I visited a few days ago. There was visible litter in the salt marsh. Campervans, some bigger than buses, were parked as far as the eye could see. A van selling souvenirs and an Uber Eats car blocked the road while dropping off pizzas."
Meanwhile, Councillor Lulu Bowerman sounded the alarm over the substantial disruption caused by these large vehicles. She said: "There are no public facilities overnight for parking, and campers use the local land, and many residents have asked for these controls to be introduced.
"I think the scheme would bring order to this particular beautiful part of Hampshire, and I think it's very necessary to maintain full accessible travel at all times. The new proposal would manage the situation."
Additionally, she mentioned that a "modest charge" compliant with charges elsewhere could offer benefits to tourists and assist with the upkeep of the ecologically delicate area, reports Birmingham Live.
As well as this, the new Pay and Display arrangements will be introduced at New Lane and Saltgrass Lane, Keyhaven. Charges have been set at £1 per hour, up to a maximum stay of all day, operating from Monday to Sunday from 10am to 6pm.
As part of the new traffic management arrangements, motor caravan vehicles will not be able to park between 8pm and 8am.
Councillor Lulu Bowerman, Hampshire County Council's Cabinet Member for Highways and Passenger Transport, said: "Proposals to introduce parking charges on two seafront roads in Keyhaven stem from local concerns about unrestricted parking, resulting in an increase of overnight stays by motorhomes and campervans.
"This has led to littering and other anti-social issues linked to camping activities for which the location is unsuited. Introducing parking charges enables the County Council to curb overnight parking more effectively and to encourage a quicker turnaround of daytime parking so more people can enjoy this popular location.
"We have carefully looked at the feedback received through two rounds of consultation and believe that on balance, a modest charge in line with those in place at similar locations, will deliver broader benefits to visitors whilst importantly, supporting the management of this ecologically sensitive site."
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