Camper vans parked in close proximity to each other at Portinscale Bridge pose a serious fire risk and are a “tragedy waiting to happen”, claim some local residents.
Concerns have been raised with The Keswick Reminder about how close camper vans are parking to each other with one local resident, who did not wish to be named for fear of reprisals, saying: “It’s a public safety concern and this is a tragedy waiting to happen.”
She said that most vans have propane or butane on board and many had not had safety checks for many years because they are old vehicles.
“If one van catches fire, especially in the middle of the row, and they are parked so close, it will quickly spread and, parked this close, each van has already blocked off one of their escape routes.”
According to the local resident there needs to be a fire break between pitches but photographic evidence shows that camper vans at this location are parking cheek by jowl on the verges and next to farmers’ fields. Some of the vehicles are stopping overnight while others remain for several days.
“It’s a really difficult one,” said another resident. “It’s not an anti-camper van issue, it’s about them parking in the right place.
“It’s about making people aware of the fact that when people are camping in such close proximity it’s not necessarily safe.
“Most are very responsible and clean up after themselves, but many don’t. Over the Easter weekend they were bumper to bumper.”
Those complaining have contacted Cumbria Fire and Cumberland Council about the issue and Cumbria’s police and crime commissioner, David Allen, has also been made aware although he says it is not a police issue.
The watch commander at Keswick fire station told one resident who contacted him that he was going to speak with his colleagues who deal with fire safety.
“It’s very much in a grey area in terms of getting it sorted,” said the local resident, who was also concerned about toilet waste being dumped in the river or in neighbouring fields. “There is a health and safety and pollution risk. These people should be paying to stay on a camp site.”
