A ban on overnight parking in motorhomes and camper vans along the North Coast 500 is one step closer to being introduced.
Six members made up the Sutherland County Commitee, who unanimously advised Highland Council to invoke a ban on the machines. If approved, overnight parking would be forbidden at two car parks in Durness and Golspie.
Under current policy, drivers can stay the night for a fee of £10 each but cannot stay for longer than a 1-night period without waiting 72 hours before re-entering the site. The new rule would eliminate that option but allow daytime parking. If the plan is adopted by the council, enforcement teams will be used to dish out fines for overnight stays.
Highland Council will now consider the proposal, which, if it progresses, will be evaluated on a site-by-site basis.
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The proponents of the ban cite waste disposal and antisocial behavior among other issues. Some say enforcing the rule would cost £41,000 and claim motorhome tourists’ contributions to the local economy are far from significant.
Councillors Richard Gale and Jim McGillivray, who proposed the motion, said:
“The full ban in Council car parks is supported by the Sutherland Area Committee because of the effects of overnight camper van parking — with inappropriate waste disposal and other issues. Signs will lead vehicles to nearby alternatives for parking.”