Waterside caravans face parking restrictions

Sanitary and safety issues have been raised over people living in the caravans

Parking restrictions are being proposed along a waterfront road after an influx of caravans took up residence.

Southampton City Council is planning to introduce "no waiting at any time" measures for a large section of Weston Parade alongside Southampton Water on the east side of the city.

The authority said the vehicles had been parked on the shore road for long periods of time and were being used for accommodation, which raised sanitary and safety issues.

A traffic regulation order consultation on the plans ends on Friday.

The shore road has direct access to the waterfront where cruise ships sail into and out of the city

Southampton City Council said introducing the restrictions would "allow the council to deal with these issues and remove obstructions for drivers and the vast number of people that enjoy walking, wheeling and cycling along Weston Parade".

The authority also wants to add "limit waiting" bays to allow parking during the day and add an overnight restriction in nearby car parks.

Woolston ward councillor Sue Blatchford said she supported the proposed changes, which she said will not impact the "casual visitor" but should stop Weston Parade "looking like a caravan site".

She added: "I have since last year received complaints from residents about all the habitable units reducing the road space for parking for casual visitors especially when the car parks are full.

"Residents have raised the issues of items on the road connected with these caravans and other units and the visual impact of these permanent units on the road."

Fellow Woolston councillor, Warwick Payne, said it had been the "biggest issue" in his inbox this summer.

He said officers from the council's homelessness team had visited the caravans to ask if those living in them would accept assistance to find rented accommodation.

He said those who remained had declined help.

"There are two schools of thought, one is that the shore needs to be cleared of all vehicles, and the other is that the occupants are doing no harm and should be left alone," Payne added.

"The consultation on parking restrictions should identify which of these is the majority view, and I will then seek to carry out the residents' wishes once they have been proven."

The council is also planning to bring in "no waiting at any time" along a section of Hazel Road in the Peartree ward due to similar problems.