Row over overnight camper van parking on Aberystwyth prom

Tighter restrictions have been planned to prevent motor homes and camper vans being parked on Aberystwyth's promenade overnight.

It follows complaints that some camper vans were left for weeks at the south promenade last summer.

But the four-hour parking limit planned has been criticised by people living nearby who say it will stop them parking near their homes.

The plans will be decided on by Ceredigion council in May.

Aled Davies, county councillor for the ward including the south promenade, said: "There were a number of complaints about motor homes and camper vans parking along the south promenade last summer.

Gary Turner said one resident had been hostile

"There were up to 20 vans parked there at the same time and some motor homes stayed there for six weeks.

"The council is considering introducing a four-hour parking restriction so more people can enjoy the promenade, but I know that local residents are not happy about this."

One of those residents, Elizabeth Pugh, lives on the south promenade seafront.

She said: "If the council need to introduce parking restrictions they need to make some provision for residents who do not have garages and have to park on the promenade.

"They should introduce a permit for residents rather than introduce parking restrictions.

"I would either have to move my car every four hours or pay more than £20 a week to park my car at the nearest car park by the harbour."

And people who use their motor homes in the town have also urged the council to consider alternative proposals to the parking issue.

Gary Turner from Worcester said he had encountered hostility from some local people when he had parked on south promenade.

"I don't want any trouble. All I want to do is stay close to the seafront," he said.

"The council should consider the Aires European system where a certain number of parking bays at the south promenade car park could be designated for motor homes and allow people to stay there overnight."

A Ceredigion council spokeswoman said it had received between five and 10 recent complaints about camper vans being parked along the promenade.

She added: "The authority has also received telephone requests from camper van users not to introduce measures to prevent camper vans parking at this location."