May 22, 2020 4.23 pm This story is over 46 months old

Lincolnshire coast car parks open, but no toilets or overnight stays warns council

Multiple reports have been received of people staying in motorhomes
Huttoft Bank car park is one of those to reopen. Photo: Google Maps

Council car parks along the coast are reopening ahead of the bank holiday weekend, authority leaders have confirmed.

However, council leaders have increased enforcement after reports of people staying overnight in motorhomes.

Both Lincolnshire County Council and East Lindsey District Council have confirmed the toilets along coastal beauty spots and in Skegness Foreshore have reopened.

Council leader Craig Leyland said: “We continue to push the message to stay away from the district at this time, but we recognise that people are now able to travel to our coast and we have seen an increase in visitors over the past two weeks.

“Opening the Foreshore car parks gives visitors appropriate places to park and ensures that our residential areas remain free of traffic and parked cars.”

However, the authority’s toilets are still closed at this time, despite complaints about people urinating and defecating in inappropriate places.

Social distancing measures have been painted into some of ELDC’s car parks. Photo: Paul Spinnie Espin

Mr Leyland said he was trying to balance the restrictions with the impacts on the most vulnerable residents.

Elsewhere, multiple reports of people staying overnight in motorhomes has seen the county council increase enforcement at its car parks in Chapel Six Marshes, Wolla Bank, Anderby Creek, Marsh Yard, Moggs Eye and Huttoft Car Terrace.

Councillor Colin Davie, executive councillor for economy and place at Lincolnshire County Council, said, “We know that people from the local area will be visiting Lincolnshire’s beaches to exercise, so we’ve opened the Coastal County park car parks.

“However the coast is not open to holidaymakers and overnight stays have never been permitted in these carparks.

“It’s disappointing that some people are exploiting the facilities in this way, when the majority are following the rules.

“We will be enforcing the byelaws – including over the bank holiday weekend and anyone found on the site at night will be reported to Lincolnshire Police.”