Bid to stop camping in carparks in Pembrokeshire

PEMBROKESHIRE County Council’s parking services have been undertaking early morning enforcement patrols to combat unauthorised overnight camping in car parks.

Civil Enforcement Officers (CEOs) have been issuing Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) to those illegally camping overnight in both Council-run car parks and those managed by the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority.

Over the last week over 25 PCNs have been issued and the Council has warned that the early morning patrols will continue.

Failure to comply with conditions in a car park can lead to fines of up to £70.

The Council is keen to remind the public that car parks are designated for parking purposes and not as camp sites and CEOs are also engaging with motorhome owners to remind them of the no overnight camping rule

County Councillor Phil Baker, Cabinet Member for Infrastructure, said: “Unfortunately people have been using our car parks to camp overnight and I am aware that in some cases anti-social behaviour is also occurring in the car parks.

“I urge everyone to use our car parks for parking only and not for other purposes. As an Authority we are obliged to enforce the conditions relating to each car park.

“We trust that everyone who use our car parks will enjoy their visit and leave with a smile on their face.”

The Council also highlights the following points:

• the Authority issues pre-paid permits which give discount on the daily charges – information on our web site or email parking@pembrokeshire.gov.uk
• all the Pay and Display machines are regularly cleaned
• cashless machines are  available at the following locations
  • Perrots Road, Haverfordwest
  • Castle Lake, Haverfordwest
  • Rifleman’s Field, Haverfordwest
  • St Thomas Green, Haverfordwest
  • High Street, St Dogmaels
  • The Green, Tenby
  • The Salterns, Tenby
  • North Beach, Tenby

Customers using car parks are asked to respect social distancing rules and park according to the conditions. The car parks are in place to provide convenient parking to beaches, beauty spots and access to town centres

For details of charges in Council-run coastal and town centre car parks go to: https://www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/parking-in-pembrokeshire