Council members want to ban overnight camper van parking due to waste and behavior concerns, sparking debate over costs and impact.
Two car parks allow camper vans now. They cost £10 a night. These are in Durness and Golspie. Both are on the NC500 route. Vans can only stay one night. They can’t return for 72 hours.
Daytime parking will stay the same. Parking teams would police overnight stays. Parking tickets cost £100. They cost £50 if paid in 14 days. Councilors want signs to direct vans.
Signs would point to other local parking. They hope to reduce waste and bad behavior. Officers warn costs would be high. Enforcement could cost £4,100 in overtime. A full-time officer could cost £41,000. Signs could cost £1,000. Income loss is not included.
Traffic orders might add costs. The council will assess all costs closely. They will look at each site. The ban limits parking options. It may raise costs for van owners. The ban impacts the local community.
It could reduce waste problems. Some vans might park elsewhere, though. This could hurt rural areas more. A councilor says locals are unhappy. The council put vans in village centers. The car parks lack nearby facilities.
The council launched a camper van scheme. It costs £40 for seven days. It allows overnight stays. It also gives access to washing. Waste disposal is absent. The council sold very few passes.
One MSP wants the scheme dropped. He says it will cost £2 million. He wants vans at local campsites. He thinks the council competes with businesses. The NC500 faces many complaints. Some vans were attacked with eggs and yogurt. Some had slashed tires.
Residents report congestion and mess. Tensions have grown over time. Police investigated tire-puncturing attempts. They found tacks on a road. Police patrol the NC500 each year. They catch speeding drivers. The NC500 is a famous drive.
Yet, it boosts tourism. Motorists speed. Also, slow vans cause issues.