Motorhomes to be banned at Lytham and St Annes promenades

Motorhomes are to be banned from parking on Lytham and St Annes promenades from this summer.

It's after complaints made to Lancashire County Council from concerned residents.

A report to cabinet members said there were “years of complaints from residents” about the homes-on-wheels reducing the spaces available for other visitors and residents – along with their ”cumulative visual impact” on the coastline.

The document also referred to the “antisocial behaviour of a minority of motor caravan users”, who dispose of liquid waste down drains and in park areas.

However, in spite of the historical clamour for action, some locals told a County Hall consultation into the plans that the prohibition risked pushing the problem onto side streets or town centre roads off the seafront which were even more unsuitable for the vehicles to park up.

Several respondents called for the introduction of a residents’ parking scheme to address the issue, but the county council said it has already considered all such requests that have been made for the area – and stressed that any fresh ones would have to meet its strict criteria before any permit systems could be introduced.

Highways officers also said there was “no evidence” to suggest that motorhome drivers would seek alternative on-street parking elsewhere in and around Lytham and St. Annes.

The motor caravan ban will start in Ansdell Road South in Lytham and run along Inner Promenade, South Promenade and North Promenade, terminating in Todmorden Road in St. Annes. It will also include King Edward Avenue, Fairlawn Road and Seafield Road in Lytham.

The restriction is expected to come into force by early May, although an exact date has not yet been confirmed.

However, some of the 353 people who responded to the consultation warned that the reduced waiting time around Fairhaven Lake would hit local businesses, because “visitors do not come to the seaside for only four hours – they often spend the day in the area”.

The proposed limits, it was claimed, would “provide insufficient time for families to spend the day enjoying the facilities like mini golf, the splash park, beaches and arcades, or walk into the town to have a look around and have some lunch”.