Anti-campervan barrier installed at beach road

PD Ports claimed campervans are blocking access on South Gare

A height restriction barrier and CCTV cameras are being installed on a beach road to stop campervans parking there.

A large number of vehicles use on the narrow, privately owned South Gare peninsula at the mouth of the River Tees, according to PD Ports.

It claims the site has been incorrectly highlighted as a free or wild camping site on social media.

Chief executive officer Frans Calje said: "If there was an emergency on the gare itself, or out on the water or the beach, the current situation would make it very difficult for vehicles to access the area."

There has been an increase in littering and a number of abandoned vehicles reported

South Gare is an operational breakwater, built in the 1850s to protect the entrance to Teesport.

The affected area of the gare is signposted to indicate it is private land owned and operated by PD Ports.

"We have received a number of complaints from residents and licenced tenants about anti-social behaviour and inconsiderate parking," Mr Calje said.

"We not taken this decision lightly but the number of people behaving inappropriately in this area means we have no choice."

The Harbour Police, an independent force funded by PD Ports, will continue to monitor the area.

A number of abandoned vehicles are also being removed from the site.