Motorhome owners say new rules for an Arbroath hotspot could drive visitors away and cost the town dearly this summer.
It’s after the seafront Inchcape Park, near the town harbour, became a victim of its own popularity.
There are now regularly 20 to 30 motorhomes on the stretch between Gayfield Park and the Signal Tower museum.
Their owners say they are pumping hundreds of pounds into the local economy every time they visit.
But there have been complaints the situation is out of control with as many as 50 motorhomes parked up some weekends.
Signs are going up within days to limit the area they can park in – and put a one-night limit on stopovers.
And owners say a four-metre distance between vehicles will slash the number of motorhomes the designated area can accommodate.
They claim it sends out a message they are not welcome in Arbroath.
Meanwhile, Angus Council admits it is relying on visitors to stay just a single night and self-police the new rules.
The visitors’ view
James and Sandra McEachern, from Leven in Fife, have been coming to Arbroath for the past few years.
They say the spot is perfect for stopping off at and often spend a couple of nights at Arbroath every few weeks.
And Sandra has a special affinity with the town.
She was born in the nearby Signal Tower when it was the shore station for the Bell Rock on which her father was a lighthouse keeper.
“It’s special to me, but we love it here anyway, it’s lovely looking out to sea,” she said.
The couple, in their 70s, admit the free parking is a bonus.
But they say they would happily pay if there were facilities.
“Since lockdown it’s become ridiculous – the cost of pitches at sites everywhere has gone up and they are all booked up,” she added.
“There’s no bother here and, by jingo, if anyone doesn’t behave then it is soon sorted out by the other owners.
“There’s never any litter, even though there aren’t many bins.”
James said: “There is a lot of money being pumped into the town.
“We are always out for meals or spending in the shops.
“If you’re getting something for nothing by being able to stop here then you should definitely be giving something back.
“There’s never any bother and if I see litter I pick it up.”
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Paul Smith is originally from the West Midlands, but sold up when he retired and now he and his wife live a life on the open road.
“We love Arbroath and I’d like to settle here, but for now we use it as a base,” said the 66-year-old.
“I’ve been coming here for about three years and the people are so friendly.
“I’ve seen some of the comments on Facebook, and 99% of the folk have no problem with the motorhomes being here.
“They know how much it is bringing to the town.
“But I have seen the comments referring to us as freeloaders and scum.
“I spend over £200 a week in Arbroath when we’re here.”
Paul revealed that when Covid struck, Inchcape Park even became his permanent home.
“The police came down and I explained the situation to them that we live in the motorhome,” he said.
“At that point the restrictions were in place preventing you from going into other areas so we were allowed to stay here, and it was lovely.
“I would say that these rules are going to do harm.
“But it won’t be to the motorhome owners because they will just go somewhere else – it will be to the town which will lose out on the money we spend.”
Inchcape is a spot which has had rave reviews from UK and overseas motorhome owners.
Council will monitor Arbroath motorhomes situation
An Angus Council spokesman said: “Signs will be put in place in the coming days with a view to managing motorhomes staying overnight at this location and to providing guidance to owners.
“They will include directions to limit stays to one overnight stopover in the designated area, which is suitably surfaced for use by these vehicles.
“While Angus Council will continue to monitor the use of the area during the summer months, we anticipate any visitors using the site will be supportive of following the self-enforcing guidance provided.”
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