Additional measures are being sought to stop visitors flouting the rules at a car park and using it as a camp site.

Following on from our story in last week’s Bridport News, in which Claire Moore of the Station Kitchen, West Bay, expressed concern motorhomes and caravans are filling up the Station Yard car park and visitors are using facilities provided by her business, West Dorset District Council says it is ‘reviewing the situation to explore additional measures that can be put in place to improve the situation.’

Exasperated residents and business owners who live and work at West Bay say a ‘ridiculous situation’ has arisen, whereby visitors with motorhomes and caravans are using the Station Yard car park as a cheap camp site, paying a charge of £2 to park and camp overnight.

John West, chairman of the West Bay Community Forum, said: “I was sorry to read about the abuse of the Station Kitchen's facilities by owners of motorhomes and caravans parking in the Station Yard car park.

“The issue will come as no surprise to West Bay residents. The forum has been lobbying WDDC for the past two summers for action to stop this car park being used as an informal campsite. Rather than paying to use the proper and well-run camping facilities around the area, some visitors prefer to do it on the cheap.

“One of the reasons for our concern is that the car park does not have the proper facilities for caravans and motor homes. These include running water, waste disposal and not least sanitary disposal. The use of the car park as a campsite is inappropriate and also reduces the parking available for other vehicles during daylight hours.”

Current rules permit overnight parking in the car park but do not allow overnight sleeping.

Mr West says the rules have created a ‘ridiculous situation’ as they are ‘unenforceable.’ He claims the forum has provided evidence of the problem to WDDC yet, so far, there has been ‘no noticeable action.’

“It’s not asking much for WDDC to manage the West Bay's car parks properly,” said Mr West. “If they aren't prepared to do this, they should transfer them to Bridport Town Council. Local knowledge and a caring approach would benefit residents and visitors alike and would also generate funds that could be invested back into in Bridport and West Bay.”

Cllr Tony Alford, leader of WDDC, said: “The signage in the car park clearly states that although vehicles are welcome to use this car park, overnight sleeping is not permitted. Parking enforcement officers make night time visits and patrol on a regular basis.

“The council is reviewing the situation to explore additional measures that can be put in place to improve the situation.”