MOTOR homes are to be banned from parking on a sea wall after complaints that the vehicles spoilt the views of the Suffolk coast.

Richard Smith

MOTOR homes are to be banned from parking on a sea wall after complaints that the vehicles spoilt the views of the Suffolk coast.

The ban will operate 24 hours a day at Slaughden, on the southern edge of Aldeburgh, and there will be a ban on vehicles of any type parking overnight.

The action will be taken by the district council after a steady increase in the number of camper vans parking on the sea wall, up to 60 on one night, and allegations that the vans damage the wall and owners empty chemical toilets in the sea.

Felicity Bromage, chairman of the town appearance committee, told a town council meeting: “New signs will go up saying it is illegal to park overnight and we have been asked urgently to support this move as the district council are extremely keen to get notices up by the beginning of June.

“I want us to give our full support to stop overnight parking on the sea wall.”

She added that the free overnight parking at Aldeburgh was publicised on an internet camping site and this attracted people to the area.

Andy Smith, the district council's cabinet member for planning, said: “The problems caused by motor homes parking on the loose-surfaced sea wall at Slaughden, and also overnight stopping in the Slaughden area, have been discussed at meetings held by this council with the town council.

“Concerns were expressed about traffic congestion, increased erosion on the sea wall, noise and litter generated by people in an area which is next to an historic Martello Tower and an internationally important estuary.

“There have been regular reports of more than 30 vehicles being parked overnight, the equivalent of a small caravan park.

“It is a shame that we have had to take this action, but from late May signs will go up barring all vehicles from parking at Slaughden overnight and motor-homes from parking on the sea wall itself.”