More East Lothian beach car park charging sites mooted

There are also proposals to extend parking charges  to include two currently exempt car parks - at Back Sands and Levenhall Links, Musselburgh -  and introduce overflow car parks at popular sites.

East Lothian Council has launched a Land Management Review after a year in which record numbers of tourists descended on  beauty spots.

Among proposals being put forward are the creation of a new park exclusively for motorhomes at Barns Ness, near Dunbar, and a complete ban on overnight stays at coastal car parks.

The consultation also suggests a clampdown on campers by insisting only wild camping is allowed in coastal areas and defines wild campers as those who camp as part of a pedestrian or cycled journey, with equipment they can carry on them and in groups of four or less.

The proposals come after an unprecedented number of visitors were seen in East Lothian during the pandemic last year with numbers estimated at 4million - 30 per cent more than in a normal year.

A report lodged in the council's members' library service describes a "motorhome invasion" in the summer with parking bays taken up.

East Lothian experienced a 'motorhome invasion'

 

And it said July 12 was the busiest day in 40 years, according to East Lothian's countryside rangers service.

Coastal car parks overflowed with people parking illegally on access roads and 'wild camping' incidents regularly saw groups of 50 tents gathered at any given site.

The report said it was only face to face engagement with visitors by countryside rangers which helped the county avoid many of the  dirty camping issues other Scottish beauty spots experienced but there were still issues with indiscriminate toileting and litter as well as fires causing damage to woodlands.

Between June and August,  1,871 tents and motorhomes were recorded in the coastal car parks.

RECAP: Patrols carried out after human waste left by campers

The report said: "The number of tents at both Yellowcraig and Tyninghame was particularly high and the most affected compared to other coastal sites, with one weekend recording 93 tents at Tyninghame and 37 tents at Yellowcraig.

"Associated issues were fire damage to the SSSI grassland and dune habitats, irresponsible toileting, tree damage by those scavenging for wood and generally camping out with the guidance with the Scottish Outdoor Access Code, to the inconvenience of other users or detriment of their experience with coastal sites.

"New camping information signage was installed although high levels of camping and fire sites persisted."

The proposed changes to car parking rules would mean motorhomes would be unable to use any coastal car parks overnight and would be directed to the new park.

Police and countryside rangers carried out patrols after complaints about wild camping at Tyninghame Beach last year (see image above)

 

The report revealed: "The council is in talks with Tarmac for  Barns Ness to be a potential site specifically designated for motorhomes.

" In relation to existing coastal car park provision, it is proposed to ban overnight parking, and control through a twilight parking enforcement service in the evenings and overnight.

"In this way, motorhome and campers can be directed to purpose-built accommodation. This will ensure that the coastal car parks which have been established as a resource will enable locals and visitors to enjoy the coast as opposed to being motorhome sites.

"A ban of overnight parking will effectively close the car parks for vehicle use and prohibit any vehicle from staying overnight "

The proposed changes would also see an increased stretch of coastal road where parking is banned.

No waiting restrictions are proposed for the B1348 between Dean Road and Seton Sands Caravan Park and on the south side from Dean Road to Lyars Road, Longniddry.

The public consultation went online today at eastlothianconsultations.co.uk/policy-partnerships/land-management-rules/