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Owners call for tolerance after Felixstowe motorhome ban Owners call for tolerance after Felixstowe motorhome ban
(about 1 hour later)
Residents have complained that some motorhomes and campervans park on the road for months at a timeResidents have complained that some motorhomes and campervans park on the road for months at a time
Motorhome owners have called for tolerance after a council ruled they would no longer be permitted to park on a seafront promenade.Motorhome owners have called for tolerance after a council ruled they would no longer be permitted to park on a seafront promenade.
They had been allowed unlimited free parking on Undercliff Road East in Felixstowe, but East Suffolk Council has deemed the road "unsuitable" for high volumes of such vehicles and will ban them from 7 July.They had been allowed unlimited free parking on Undercliff Road East in Felixstowe, but East Suffolk Council has deemed the road "unsuitable" for high volumes of such vehicles and will ban them from 7 July.
Some residents have welcomed the decision, but motorhome owners claim they are being discriminated against.Some residents have welcomed the decision, but motorhome owners claim they are being discriminated against.
The council said alternative parking would be provided.The council said alternative parking would be provided.
With easy access to the beach, free tap water and public toilets just metres away, the road has become a popular destination for touring vehicles.With easy access to the beach, free tap water and public toilets just metres away, the road has become a popular destination for touring vehicles.
But local raised concerns that motorhomes were parking for months at a time, preventing them and visitors from being able to enjoy the area.But local raised concerns that motorhomes were parking for months at a time, preventing them and visitors from being able to enjoy the area.
The council's order will create car-only parking bays, without a time limit to enable longer stays, as well as time-restricted bays for disabled badge holders.The council's order will create car-only parking bays, without a time limit to enable longer stays, as well as time-restricted bays for disabled badge holders.
The authority also hopes the ban will help "residents and visitors access the beachfront easily".The authority also hopes the ban will help "residents and visitors access the beachfront easily".
'We are not ogres''We are not ogres'
Felixstowe resident Katrina Cable says she can sometimes be met with hostility when she pulls up in her motorhomeFelixstowe resident Katrina Cable says she can sometimes be met with hostility when she pulls up in her motorhome
Felixstowe resident and motorhome owner Katrina Cable, 62, called on those on either side of the divide "to work together". Felixstowe resident and motorhome owner Katrina Cable, 52, called on those on either side of the divide "to work together".
"I agree there is an issue of sorts and I see why it might put people's noses out of joint, but there has to be a compromise," she told the BBC."I agree there is an issue of sorts and I see why it might put people's noses out of joint, but there has to be a compromise," she told the BBC.
"We get all sorts of comments like 'Look at that monstrosity', so I am extremely conscious, but it's an ignorance, sadly."We get all sorts of comments like 'Look at that monstrosity', so I am extremely conscious, but it's an ignorance, sadly.
"We are human beings with kind hearts; we are not these ogres that we are being made out to be. We are peacekeepers and would do anything to help anybody.""We are human beings with kind hearts; we are not these ogres that we are being made out to be. We are peacekeepers and would do anything to help anybody."
'It does feel unfair''It does feel unfair'
Kath Gaynor has previously raised concerns with the councilKath Gaynor has previously raised concerns with the council
Another local resident, Kath Gaynor, 73, said: "It does feel unfair that those of us that like to use the beach and that live here don't get the full access we thought we did or could.Another local resident, Kath Gaynor, 73, said: "It does feel unfair that those of us that like to use the beach and that live here don't get the full access we thought we did or could.
"We have a disabled son and he arrives here in his accessibility vehicle, but it's often quite difficult to enable him to get out and unloaded."We have a disabled son and he arrives here in his accessibility vehicle, but it's often quite difficult to enable him to get out and unloaded.
"Lots of families want to come here in their cars with their kids but you have 15 big motorhomes where there could have been space for 60 cars.""Lots of families want to come here in their cars with their kids but you have 15 big motorhomes where there could have been space for 60 cars."
'They look after themselves and they don't mix''They look after themselves and they don't mix'
John Gaynor says some motorhome owners refrain from mingling with the localsJohn Gaynor says some motorhome owners refrain from mingling with the locals
Motorhome owners told the BBC their presence should be embraced, as they contributed to the local economy by using the town's shops and pubs.Motorhome owners told the BBC their presence should be embraced, as they contributed to the local economy by using the town's shops and pubs.
But local resident John Gaynor, 73, said he did not believe they did enough to integrate into the local community, adding that while some were "pleasant", others could be "unfriendly".But local resident John Gaynor, 73, said he did not believe they did enough to integrate into the local community, adding that while some were "pleasant", others could be "unfriendly".
"They look after themselves and they are on their own – they don't mix," he said."They look after themselves and they are on their own – they don't mix," he said.
"They are very intrusive for us because we have had one or two of them parked here for two months.""They are very intrusive for us because we have had one or two of them parked here for two months."
Another homeowner, who did not wish to be named but has lived on the road for 15 years, said the situation had become "awful".Another homeowner, who did not wish to be named but has lived on the road for 15 years, said the situation had become "awful".
"I pay a lot of money to live here and all I see [is motorhomes], and if you ask them to move you get a load of verbal," she said."I pay a lot of money to live here and all I see [is motorhomes], and if you ask them to move you get a load of verbal," she said.
"Last night there were five in a row – a whole train of them. I love living here, apart from the motorhomes.""Last night there were five in a row – a whole train of them. I love living here, apart from the motorhomes."
'We are law-abiding people''We are law-abiding people'
Ian Cable wants harmony between residents and motorhome ownersIan Cable wants harmony between residents and motorhome owners
Ian Cable, 69, said the idea that motorhome owners were a nuisance was a misconception.Ian Cable, 69, said the idea that motorhome owners were a nuisance was a misconception.
"I can understand some of the frustration when it comes to any sort of parking in seaside towns but we have to embrace it; that's what we have to do, not fight, embrace it," he said."I can understand some of the frustration when it comes to any sort of parking in seaside towns but we have to embrace it; that's what we have to do, not fight, embrace it," he said.
"I don't know what they think us motorhomers are, but we are law-abiding people who are paying their dues.""I don't know what they think us motorhomers are, but we are law-abiding people who are paying their dues."
'A complete ban is discrimination''A complete ban is discrimination'
Campervan owner Gayle Myers-Drake says she does not mind some parking restrictions, but believes a complete ban is too strongCampervan owner Gayle Myers-Drake says she does not mind some parking restrictions, but believes a complete ban is too strong
The forthcoming ban has been welcomed by Paul West, Suffolk County Council Conservative cabinet member for operational highways and flooding, who said motorhomes had been allowed to "dominate the promenade".The forthcoming ban has been welcomed by Paul West, Suffolk County Council Conservative cabinet member for operational highways and flooding, who said motorhomes had been allowed to "dominate the promenade".
But campervan owner Gayle Myers-Drake said the ban could put people off visiting the town.But campervan owner Gayle Myers-Drake said the ban could put people off visiting the town.
"I have health issues so I have to have my own toilet onboard and so I am bit frustrated," she said."I have health issues so I have to have my own toilet onboard and so I am bit frustrated," she said.
"We are not all that bad, but we have all been put into the same bracket."We are not all that bad, but we have all been put into the same bracket.
"I can understand them putting in an overnight ban and charging for car parking spaces but to do a complete ban is discrimination."I can understand them putting in an overnight ban and charging for car parking spaces but to do a complete ban is discrimination.
"Why would people want to go to Felixstowe when they are treated in this way?""Why would people want to go to Felixstowe when they are treated in this way?"
The council says alternative parking arrangements will be madeThe council says alternative parking arrangements will be made
East Suffolk Council said it remained committed to providing parking for motorhomes and campervans in the town.East Suffolk Council said it remained committed to providing parking for motorhomes and campervans in the town.
"Alternative parking for larger vehicles will be available at Manor Terrace, Landguard, Garrison Lane and Golf Road," a spokesperson said."Alternative parking for larger vehicles will be available at Manor Terrace, Landguard, Garrison Lane and Golf Road," a spokesperson said.
"Overnight parking in these locations will be permitted for a maximum of three days, with no return within seven days. Signage and larger bays will be introduced.""Overnight parking in these locations will be permitted for a maximum of three days, with no return within seven days. Signage and larger bays will be introduced."
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