Exmouth seafront camper van ban could begin next month

In December, East Devon District Council’s cabinet voted in favour of calling to ban the camper vans from the seafront and instead allow them to park in council’s owned car parks.

A traffic regulation order to completely ban camper vans from parking in a section of Queen’s Drive has now been issued by Devon County Council, and if as expected, the order is confirmed, then the ban could be in place in May.

If the traffic regulation order if confirmed, then East Devon District Council will then amend their Parking Places Order and trial overnight parking for motorhomes in three Exmouth car parks.

It would mean that there would be an outright ban on camper vans parking on a certain section of Queen’s Drive at any time, and prohibit them from parking on sections of Imperial Road, Maer Road & Queen’s Drive between 8pm and 8am.

The traffic regulation order, proposing the ban, says: “Following discussion with Exmouth Town Council and East Devon District Council, parking facilities for Motor Caravans will be made available in off street car parks.

“To encourage Motor Caravans into the new facilities it is proposed to make an order to prohibit overnight parking for Motor Caravans along Imperial Road, Maer Road and Queen’s Drive spur road and to prohibit Motor Caravans at Any Time along sections of Queen’s Drive.”

Exmouth town council at the end of March voted to give their support to the Traffic Orders relating to the parking of motor caravans in Exmouth.

Councillor Mark Williamson, who was initially behind the idea that a seafront ban was the best way to deal with the increased number of camper vans descending on the golden sands of Exmouth seafront, had last year said: “To some extent, this is a compromise. We do depend on tourism and visitors coming to Exmouth and we don’t want to deter owner of camper vans from coming here for a few days.

“But what we are trying to do is to find more appropriate facilities for the camper van owners and their families. The whole point of having a camper van is that you can drive around and find somewhere safe to sleep, and one of the car parks will shut at night, so they won’t be disturbed."

“The scheme relies on Devon County Council implementing the on-street parking restrictions on Queen’s Drive – and they have said they will do so if the new car park bays in the car parks are provided – and could net the district council £50,000 a year in fees."