Who will be the first arrivals? New Cleethorpes motorhomes site set to open next week

The site earmarked for motorhomes parking. On the other side of the road is the Premier Inn

A DEDICATED  motorhomes site will open in  Cleethorpes  on Monday.

The initiative on the main foreshore car park is the brainchild of North East Lincolnshire.

It is going ahead despite  protests that the chunkily-proportioned vehicles will blight the land adjacent to the attractively-maintained station of  Cleethorpes Coast Light Railway and the designated dunes nature reserve.    

There are 10 spaces which are  being offered for one- or two-night parking, costing £12 per 24 hours, with a maximum stay of 48 hours. 

Currently, overnight parking of motorhomes is prohibited in all North East Lincolnshire Council car parks, though there is also a site at the north end of the promenade opposite the rock armour whale's tail.

Fees can only be paid on arrival by downloading a paybyphone app. 

The ticket machines on the rest of the car park  are not available to pay for motorhome parking.

The site also has an Elsan disposal point for access to water and emptying chemical WCs

Penalty charge notices will be issued to occupants of any vehicle caught parking overnight on grassland outside a designated  bay.

Says NELC's portfolio holder for the visitor economy, Cllr Hayden Dawkins: "These sorts sites are popular all over Europe and in tourist towns across the UK.

"We hope this one will attract more visitors to Cleethorpes."

The Grimsby News says: Plaudits to NELC for this attempt, albeit modest, to generate revenue for its coffers from seaside visitors. But this project has its risks. As word spreads, more and more motorhomes will turn up. If the site is full, their occupants' inclination will be to take the risk of a fine and park either on the grass verge or in other parts of the car park. What is more, the development will increase traffic, potentially putting the unwary - children as well as adults - at risk. It surely would have been far preferable if the council could have established a properly-serviced standalone site elsewhere rather than a cramped corner of an existing car park.

Only £12 per night - is the council undercharging?

                                                        

A downside of the project is that it will obstruct the view to the attractively maintained light  railway station

Early bird! Even before Monday's official opening, one motorhome had pitched up on site