Two councils are to thrash out a solution aimed at putting the brakes on the increasing number of camper vans using a car park in Keswick for overnight stays and leaving behind a trail of human waste and rubbish.
A member of the public raised the issue in a written resolution considered at the annual parish meeting of Keswick Town Council on Thursday last week.
Councillors heard that most weekends and especially at bank holidays – New Year’s Day and Easter – there have been upwards of 50 camper vans and converted vans on the 253-space Lakeside Car Park.
The members of the public pointed out that it clearly states on the main car park signs that there should be “no overnight occupancy”.
“It is not just that they are staying overnight, but the mess which is being left behind and lack of facilities at this site,” said the member of the public in their written resolution. “I know that in the past the council has looked at providing a cheaper overnight camping hub for such vehicles, but looking at the numbers that use the car park, it would have to be considerably larger than was suggested at that time (five or six vehicles).”
Cllr Jean Murray said that she had recently been on a reccy and said that people staying in the camper vans were disposing of their chemical toilet waste into the woods next to the site behind the Theatre by the Lake. She said there were also rubbish bags with food inside along with human waste.
“It’s a health hazard as well. It’s getting ridiculous,” she said. “It says ‘no overnight camping’ because there are no facilities on the site. We need to get Cumberland Council to do something about it urgently.”
Cllr Rob Nelson suggested that a height barrier be placed at the car park entrance.
Council clerk Vivien Little said she had spoken with the parking manager at Cumberland Council who was prepared to come and speak with the town council at any time to figure out a solution. It was agreed that a letter be sent to Cumberland Council in order to set up a meeting.
