TOURING PEMBROKESHIRE INTRODUCES OVERNIGHT PARKING TRIAL

Pembrokeshire County Council has approved a trial scheme to provide stopovers for motorhomes and campervans.

This trial, called Pembs Stop, will hopefully pave the way for a range of stopovers across the county, but initially will be restricted to four council-owned car parks.

Overnight parking is currently allowed in council car parks; however, sleeping in vehicles that are parked overnight is not, so the rules around this (Off-Street Parking Places Order 2011) needs to be amended.

The scheme proposes that for a £10 fee (payable via machine or through an app), motorhomers could sleep in their ’van overnight for a maximum of two nights. The fee covers 7pm to 9am and normal car parking charges would apply outside this time.

The suggested car parks for the trial are: North Beach, Tenby Goodwick Moor, Goodwick (linked to ferry port) Townsmoor, Narberth Western Way, Pembroke (linked to ferry port, but currently has a height barrier)

As per normal stopover guidelines, camping chairs, etc, should not be stored or used outside the motorhome and awnings also shouldn’t be used. Vehicles must park within allocated bays and there will be no waste or recycling points available; however, the car parks selected are close to public toilets.

It is hoped that, if successful, the trial could be extended to other places, such as school car parks, which would be managed independently.

Councillor John Harvey stated, “To have a safe place where motorhome owners can park up for one night or two nights maximum is certainly worth trialling.”

The scheme should be in place for 1 July, but check with the council before planning a stop.