For all the good it will do, but I sent this today.
Dear Sir/Madam,
After studying your proposals for East Lothian car parking and use of Motorhomes, I wish to highlight my views on these proposals.
I looked at the questionnaire provided, and found it to be inadequate for purpose.
I am familiar with East Lothian, having spent many wonderful times on its coastline over many years. In recent years we have witnessed poor behaviour, of which on two occasions we have reported to the council. One incident on fisherrow in Musselburgh were loud music persisted to after midnight, loutish behaviour from drunks, litter strewn all over the beech and carpark, water taps left running, dog mess not cleaned up, and our Motorhome was struck with a stone convinced us never to return. Yet one month later barriers were erected preventing Motorhome owners from using the carpark. Clearly there are manifold problems there, yet the answer was to prevent us from using fisherrow seemed quite frankly wrong. We were never the main problem there, yet we alone were dealt with through the use of barriers and signage. I know for a fact that the local shops benefited from our presence.
We have noted problems with cars barbecuing inconsiderately, tents being erected then rubbish being left in the morning, throughout the region.
To propose that all Motorhomes should be herded into one sole carpark at Barns ness is totally unacceptable and shows a lack of knowledge of what we are all about. I don’t wish to park in a carpark full of Motorhomes, normally we much prefer to park in quieter locations. Our last visit was to just outside the silver sands car park. We love that location and have been going there for years. We normally spend a night at the camping and caravan site near there to empty our toilet cassette, and grey water tanks, and to replenish our fresh water tank. But on our last visit we found tents were pitched in the carpark, and the beech, and fires burning with refuge strewn around them.
Most Motorhome owners are either retired or close to retirement. We have worked all our lives, paid our taxes and respect local environments. I was a firefighter for over 30 years. Yet we are made to feel unwanted and no better than a problem to be dealt with by East Lothian. Other regions such as Highland, and Fife have taken a different course.
It seems to me that East Lothian treat us with disdain, barriers and signage everywhere to prevent us from parking and enjoying such a wonderful environment. Whilst those who spoil it for others with their anti social behaviour, and lack of respect for the environment are still free to return each year, whilst each year we find places that we went to for years are now out of bounds to us.
Times are changing some parts of Scotland are starting to see us not as a hinderance, or a problem to be dealt with but an opportunity. But the reality is our numbers are growing each year, and last year due to Covid manufacturers and suppliers could not supply demand. You are basing your judgments on an exceptional period last year, things will calm down once we are through Covid.
I think consultation with other regions would be advisable. Simply in effect banning us from your whole region accept for one location is not reasonable or the answer to your perceived problem. Yes as I have noted there are problems in your area, and I am not denying that a small part of this is due to poor behaviour within our community. But we are far from your main consideration, yet time and time again we bear the brunt of your draconian measures.
www.eastlothiancourier.com
