AN ABERYSTWYTH councillor is calling for campervans to be banned from the south end of Aberystwyth promenade.

A resident said motorhomes have “outstayed their welcome” on the prom, and Aberystwyth councillor Endaf Edwards raised concerns including overhanging pavements, blocking paths with tables and chairs, and disposal of waste.

Cllr Edwards said the issues have been ongoing since 2018, and he is pushing for campervans to be banned from the parking area completely. 

“The experience people have had with them, the owners of campervans, is they quite simply don’t take any notice of anyone. Action needs to be taken to stop this issue immediately,” Cllr Edwards said. 

An Aberystwyth resident said: “I feel, amongst others, that these vehicles have outstayed their welcome.”

Resident Ruth Davies also said she was “disgusted” by the situation.

She said: “What bothers me is that they’re using the prom as a toilet and the toilets are open, so there’s no excuse. The stench is absolutely awful there.

"It needs to be brought to light so something can be done about it. It’s ruining Aberystwyth.”

Some of the issues Cllr Edwards raised were blocking of the pavement by overhanging campervans and use of outside tables and chairs, both making it difficult for pedestrians to socially distance.

He also highlighted the lack of proper disposal facilities for campervan waste and the parking of various vehicles in spaces reserved for the RNLI.

Cllr Edwards has also contacted Ceredigion County Council and the police after witnessing the issues for himself.

“I am concerned that there is nowhere for them to dispose of grey waste and foul waste, like there would be on a campsite,” Cllr Edwards said.

“So they use the public toilets but they aren’t designed to handle that kind of waste and the chemicals they use in campervans. The main sewage system isn’t designed for that.

“I am also concerned that these campervans are closely parked. I understand that the minimum distance on a caravan park would be six metres, but that isn’t the case on the promenade.

“What annoys me as well, is that people were asked to move by the RNLI and they did, while a boat was launching, but then I believe they went back there to use the parking space.

“It’s simply not on, we’re talking about a matter of life and death.”

Paul McCann from Aberystwyth RNLI station confirmed that there have been issues with access, saying: “Yes we have seen recently that vehicles have been parked in both the crew parking areas, and also in other areas that might have prevented us from launching the boat using our secondary launch sites.

“We have spoken to the council about this and new signage has been erected. 

“We would ask people to not park in these areas, and respect the signage as a delay in the crew being able to launch the lifeboat could have very serious consequences if someone is in trouble.”