Motorhome and campervan owners targeted as staycation surge puts pressure on seaside towns

Local authorities are tightening road and parking rules as Britain's staycation boom sparks growing pressure on popular tourist hotspots across the country.

Councils in seaside towns, rural communities and national parks are bringing in tougher restrictions on campervans and motorhomes after complaints from residents about congestion, littering and overcrowding.

The crackdown comes as more Britons choose to holiday at home instead of travelling abroad, with searches for "UK staycation" jumping by 133 per cent over the past year.

New research from One Sure Insurance found domestic tourism is surging as holidaymakers grow increasingly concerned about rising airfares, flight disruption and global instability.

But while the staycation trend is providing a boost for local tourism businesses, it is also creating mounting tensions in some of the UK's most visited destinations.

Many councils are now targeting overnight stays in campervans and motorhomes in an effort to ease pressure on roads, parking spaces and local infrastructure during the busy summer season.

Motorists who ignore the new rules risk receiving Penalty Charge Notices, while drivers who park dangerously or block access routes could also breach Rule 242 of the Highway Code.

The rule states: "You MUST NOT leave your vehicle or trailer in a dangerous position or where it causes any unnecessary obstruction of the road."

Several popular holiday destinations have already introduced major changes. In Eryri National Park, also known as Snowdonia, overnight stays have been banned in 11 car parks since April. Officials explained that the measures are designed to reduce disruption and improve safety as visitor numbers continue to rise.

Along the North Yorkshire coast, Saltburn-by-the-Sea is introducing new controls on campervan parking through a Traffic Regulation Order.

Meanwhile, St Annes-on-Sea brought in its own overnight parking ban last year after residents complained about noise, littering and overcrowding during peak tourist periods.

The restrictions form part of a wider pattern emerging across England and Wales as councils attempt to strike a balance between supporting tourism and protecting local communities.

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Campervans and motorhomes have become a particular concern in many scenic coastal and rural locations because they often occupy parking spaces overnight and place additional strain on local services.

Felixstowe has already limited campervan parking along parts of its seafront following concerns about excessive vehicle numbers.

Elsewhere, Southend-on-Sea has taken one of the toughest approaches by banning overnight campervan stays entirely.

In North Yorkshire, councillors recently voted to make overnight parking bans on campervans and motorhomes permanent in several coastal hotspot areas following an 18-month trial.

The decision came after a consultation showed that six out of 10 local residents supported keeping the restrictions in place permanently.

The growing number of parking controls highlights the increasing challenge facing many tourist destinations as domestic travel continues to rise.

While local businesses often benefit from the increase in visitors, residents in smaller towns and villages have warned that infrastructure has been struggling to cope during busy holiday periods.

A spokesperson for One Sure Insurance said: "Increased domestic tourism can create significant pressure on local roads, parking infrastructure and surrounding communities, particularly in smaller coastal and rural destinations - even from motorists not staying in campervans or motorhomes.

"While the increase in visitors can be great for local economies, tourist towns and hospitality businesses, visitors should respect locals and the areas they visit."