A CAMPAIGNER has called for a “partial or more targeted ban” on motorhomes and caravans on the popular North Coast 500 (NC500) route.
It comes after a ban was implemented along coastal locations in North Yorkshire this week after numerous complaints from residents that the areas were being clogged up with vehicles during the summer.
Residents along Scotland’s NC500 route have had similar complaints amid a huge influx of tourists along the country’s most popular road trip.
Down the years, the route has increasingly faced a number of issues including problems with the number of motorhomes travelling on the route, parking issues as well as toilet facilities and speeding.
Robin Pettigrew, who lives on the route in Lochcarron, Wester Ross, has been campaigning for years on how to tackle over-tourism and its effects on the NC500.
Asked whether he believes a ban on motorhomes and caravans should be an option, he told The National: “Yes, generally. But I think it needs to be more nuanced.”
He explained: “The law says that drivers have a right to stop in a lay-by and rest if they get tired. And that loophole in the law is being used as an excuse to effectively use lay-bys as campsites.”
Pettigrew, who is also a chartered member of the Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, said: “I think that there should be a general regulation to stop people camping in lay-bys and I also think that there's certain hotspots where there are a lack of no parking signs up.
“But unfortunately, we don't have the manpower or the finances with the Highland Council to enforce it.”
He added: “But I certainly do think that certain areas should not allow motorhomes and caravans to park up – certainly in front of people's domestic housing, for instance. We have people parking up pretty much overlooking people's sitting rooms and bedrooms which is a bit rude and intrusive.
“So, I think that there should be a prohibition on overnight parking – sleeping in vehicles in domestic housing zones, particularly in front of people's houses.
“So yes, a partial or more targeted ban.”
Pettigrew spoke to The National last year about his campaign for a vehicle-based levy for tourists, which he has argued could be an effective solution to the challenges with the NC500 route.
“I am aware how Highland Council have suffered under austerity and consequently we have lost services including the respected Highland Out Door Access Rangers," he said.
“Some form of income generation for the council to provide services to communities and visitors is needed and the Visitor Levy (Scotland) Act will take time to process in whatever form it appears up here.
“Clearly the way forward is a vehicle-based levy. Our figures show a vehicle levee would bring in excess of £22 million per annum.
“The high cost of clearing up after a significant minority of poorly behaved visitors as evidenced in the Highland Council Out Door Access Rangers Annual Reports show the clear need for an enhanced ranger services and additional waste disposal facilities.”
The Visitor Levy (Scotland) Act was passed in May and enables councils to apply a levy on overnight stays, but Pettigrew insists taxing vehicles will prove more fruitful in the Highlands.
