north berwick, the signs ;(

[Jimhunterj4]

Been there a few times and to be perfectly honest they can shove their wee shanty town right up their axxe I've spent a lot of money in North berwick while I was there ( and no doubt lots of you too ) and to be told by an illegal sign no MH or camping ! Nah keep it, can't be arsed trying to park up when some ignoramus has parked sideways or some tinker has been there for 3 weeks and has his crap out all round his van... There is far more places to go that's less hassle than North berwick...the town has lost my business and no doubt lots of others too.....ps if the caravan site owner thinks he's going to get the campers on to his site he's deluded

 

[zantiagreen]

I was sat there 2 Tuesdays ago having camped overnight below the cliff when the two workmen came round and started digging the holes to put up the signs. (I did put notices in the relevant POI folder)

Another van who had overnighted told them they were illegal but it wasn't worth arguing with a man just doing his job. The workers seemed sympathetic but one did mention that one of the residents on the same road nearer to town counted 31 vans one morning who had overnighted one night this summer!
Can fully understand residents concerns - they paid good money for houses with sea views not camper van views.

If some of our fellow campers used their discretion and moved on, if there were already a few people there, it would cause less of a problem. Can't understand the particular attraction of this typical Scottish seaside town - it's nothing to write home about I just chose it because it was quiet - ha ha

However, I for one won't be going back - there are so may places in Scotland you can stay with no hassle and if they don't want my business then tough. I just regret spending £20 in a restaurant the night before!

 

[Deleted member 32902]

I value my motorhome and a sign telling me to bugger off usually has at least one angry resident behind it. An angry resident with a brick is something I can definitely do without.

QUOTE]

The brick can be returned.

John.

But where would you draw the line mate, we cannot let scumbags dictate to us. some years ago in Blackpool, when you could park on the front, three yobs, is that what you call them now?, walked past our van, one of them punched his way down the side of the van, I got out to have a word with him and ended up giving him the leathal side of the 'furry paw' he wasn't too happy, I woke up next morning to find two tires flat, the man from the tyre co, said they had been darted, tyres were ruined, but I would do the same again.
seamus.

 

[John H]

I value my motorhome and a sign telling me to bugger off usually has at least one angry resident behind it. An angry resident with a brick is something I can definitely do without.

QUOTE]

The brick can be returned.

John.

And the damage repaired - at a cost I don't wish to incur!

 

[John H]

But where would you draw the line mate, we cannot let scumbags dictate to us. some years ago in Blackpool, when you could park on the front, three yobs, is that what you call them now?, walked past our van, one of them punched his way down the side of the van, I got out to have a word with him and ended up giving him the leathal side of the 'furry paw' he wasn't too happy, I woke up next morning to find two tires flat, the man from the tyre co, said they had been darted, tyres were ruined, but I would do the same again.
seamus.

I draw my line at not annoying the locals and thus have never had the need to pay for damaged tyres - or anything else. It's simple common sense really

 

[antiqueman]

I know the guy who owns the Berwick Fry cafe, also spoke a few times with owner of pub next door. I always make it clear I'm down for a couple of night (Fri/Sat) weather permitting. When area concerned has been really busy, I also make sure I mention to any folks looking to park, to park behind my van, obviously if I'm going no where.

Last time there with van, day trip. As I was leaving, I couldn't get back along road for council motor, guys were emptying bins. Guy asked if there was much mess at local, I replied, any mess is do to gulls pillaging open litter bins and, council should supply bins with lids. I also pointed behind me, to where our litter was going to my own bin. Guys were actually ok, claiming MH owners are not main litter culprits.

never been there was just saying most businesses like custom doubt rubbish caused problem. people buy house near airport then complain about noise from planes:rolleyes2:

 

[Tezza33]

Can fully understand residents concerns - they paid good money for houses with sea views not camper van views.

House owners have no legal right to a 'view', unless a neighbour builds a permanent structure a householder has no right to a view he had before

 

[barryd]

Yes, I miss so much. Last week I was driving over a spectacular Alpine Pass at 6,000 feet, then we drove the even more spectacular length of the Ardeche gorge and now we are in the Pyrenees, contemplating a drive over the Col du Tourmalet to eventually end up at the Cirque du Gavarnie tomorrow. Life must be so more exciting for those prepared to do interesting things!

PS My motorhome (and I am now on the third one) has never been damaged by irate locals but I know people who have had stuff thrown at them or had their vans spray-painted with "go away" slogans. Believe me, it DOES happen - but not to those of us who know that life is too short to argue with idiots and that there are so many interesting places to visit that are welcoming to us.

Just spent 6 weeks in the Pyrenees. Some super wild spots and aires. If you go to Gavarnie done miss the Cirque de Troumouse just down the road. Superb wild spot right at the bottom. No bricks, moaning old bin men or no camping signs!

 

[sak]

On the subject of signs 10 or so years ago a lot of pubs in the countryside had signs outside saying No Bikers or Leather Jackets Allowed but since the foot and mouth and recession etc. the signs have now changed to Bikers Welcome, sorry mate keep your beer.

 

[zantiagreen]

House owners have no legal right to a 'view', unless a neighbour builds a permanent structure a householder has no right to a view he had before

Not for a minute suggesting they have any rights to any view but as they live opposite a beach they probably have a fair expectation of being able to see the sea. When they don't, they complain to the council and as they pay their rates (or whatever it's called now) and vote for the councillors they are going to be listened to and no amount of us lobbying their local chippy owner is going to help us.

And no I'm not implying or saying or suggesting complaints were received either; I'm just creating a generic hypothetical scenario for the purposes of intelligent argument!:wave:

And no I'm not suggesting they pay their rates - they may be exempt, or vote - they might exercise their right not to, or that the chippy owner has no influence - he may be a councillor!

I'll get mi coat

 

[shortcircuit]

And no I'm not implying or saying or suggesting complaints were received either; I'm just creating a generic hypothetical scenario for the purposes of intelligent argument!:wave

What?

 

[Marlin]

North Berwick Moan

Hi

Just back from North Berwick car park on Marine Rd by the beach, a lovely spot - very disappointed at signs (arrived on Friday -didn't actually notice them till Saturday cos they weren't there last time we stopped there about 2 summers ago- and just stayed till today anyway cos bit fragile on Saturday to start packing up and moving off so we just went out for day - fabulous views from Berwick Law !!!-. Was a bit pissed off by the signs - are they even legal ??? - most parking restrictions say what legislation enforces the restrictions and tells you penalty for non compliance. Anyways - had a great weekend and between pubs/shops/restaurant spent a small fortune in two days - but agree with previous threads - won't go where we're not welcome but feeling a bit defiant that we did nothing wrong, never made any noise or left any mess so I really don't see what their problem is, experienced for first time in 3 years a bit of hostility from one stuck up lady who asked her husband in a loud stage whisper for a pen so she could write down our number for the Council - no need, I had a pen handy she could have borrowed, ......pppfffftttt.....hope she picked up after her dog!!! I've written a snippy email to East Lothian Council, more just to make myself feel better - great place for a weekend, but doubt we'll be back, there a too many other lovely welcoming places to go to!!!!

 

[Marlin]

The poster like lots of other members including my good self travel and visit places to enjoy our motorhoming not to potentially get into conflict / arguments with officials or an irate local regardless whether a sign is legal or not.
Its pretty obvious motorhomes are not wellcome hence the signs. Much easier to move on and prevent any grieve imho.

Yep - getting chinned by a snooty women , by her attitude must actually own the car park - put us off - who needs it??? - won't be back!

 

[MikeBBB]

Marine Road

That's a car park I'm afraid - not a camping place - let along a "wild camping spot" for MH's- I turned up this summer to go kayaking, to find three MH's parked long the line of the machair / beach, so taking up about half the available spaces which are intended for people who want to park their cars. Which isn't unreasonable. Two of them were clearly set up for a long stay, and certainly hadn't moved when I left NB on the Monday morning.

 

[Deleted member 967]

I have now had a letter from East Lothian Council confirming these signs have no legal backing

31st October 2014

Our Ref: 2014/966(7028)
Your Ref:

Dear Mr Thompson

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION (SCOTLAND) ACT 2002
ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION REGULATIONS 2004

Further to your enquiry, I can confirm that at present, there are no bylaws or regulations to enforce the signs.

Yours sincerely

Dr Renate Gertz
Data Protection & Freedom of Information Compliance Officer
Licensing, Administration & Democratic Services
East Lothian Council
John Gray Centre
15 Lodge Street
Haddington
EH41 3DX
( 01620 827993
email: rgertz@eastlothian.gov.uk

 

[The laird]

Fab ,brilliant news,hope others see this :cool1::cool1::cool1::raofl::raofl: