New rules banning motorhomes come into force

New rules banning motorhomes from overnight parking along a promenade in Lancashire are set to come into force.

The vehicles will not be allowed to park along St Annes promenade from 18:00 to 08:00 BST from 22 July.

Any owner of a motorcaravan breaking the rules once they applied ran the risk of receiving a Penalty Charge Notice and a fine of £70, the council said.

The ban is among the new parking rules for Lytham and St Annes approved by Lancashire County Council's cabinet.

The measures were approved in March after an extensive consultation to address complaints from local people over many years about the impact of parking motor caravans on residents and other visitors to this area, the council said.

A report to cabinet members said there had been "years of complaints" from residents about the visual impact of camper vans and the space they took up.

A County Hall consultation also heard that some people feared the ban would force the motorhomes on to town centre roads or into side streets.

However, highways officers said there was "no evidence" that would happen.

The ban would apply to motorhomes, also called motor caravans, on Todmorden Road, North Promenade, South Promenade, Inner Promenade, King Edward Avenue, St Paul's Avenue, Ansdell Road South, Fairlawn Road, Seafield Road, Woodville Terrace and Lowther Terrace, the council said.

"We believe these new measures will also take into account the cumulative visual impact of these large vehicles, their effect on parking availability, and the environmental impact caused by a minority of owners who empty liquid waste down drains and on green areas along the promenade," county councillor Rupert Swarbrick, cabinet member for highways and transport, said.

"In addition, they will also help support Fylde Council's coastal strategy to help protect the vitally important habitats, heritage and visitor economy of the seafront and help better manage how coaches drop off and pick up visitors."

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