A SEASONAL increase in people staying overnight on Dartmoor in their motor homes has sparked a reminder by the Dartmoor National Park Authority.
As motor homes are becoming increasingly popular, members from the park authority have noticed an increase in people staying overnight — but they warn that this is not permitted under a Dartmoor National Park byelaw.
The byelaw does not allow any vehicles to be used overnight in car parks and laybys or parked up on the roadside, due to health and safety issues and that it impacts heavily on the visual aspect of the landscape.
Locations most affected include Pork Hill, Four Winds Car Park, the Princetown area, Two Bridges and the Postbridge area, Dunnabridge and along to road from Princetown to Walkhampton towards the Burrator area.
Signs have been erected at some of the most well used locations to remind people that staying overnight is not permitted.
Rangers also speak with motor home owners advising them against staying overnight if it looked like they were setting up for the evening or if seen in the early morning and it appeared they had stayed overnight.
Andrew Watson, head of recreation, access and estates from the DNPA, said: ‘There is always a seasonal increase but motor homes are becoming more and more popular.
‘One of the benefits of having a motor home is being able to travel around Dartmoor, but as the National Park was designated for its high quality landscape it is visually intrusive to pull up on roadside car parks and verges and stay overnight.
‘There are also health and safety issues around waste disposal and public hygiene. Using a motor home is a great way to enjoy Dartmoor, but we ask people not to stay overnight in moorland car parks.
‘There are many designated campsites where motor homes are accepted and using official sites helps to support the Dartmoor economy.’
Information for motor home owners is available by visiting www.dartmoor.gov.uk/camping