Councillors opt against new car park barriers along Antrim Coast

Glenarm, County Antrim

Mid and East Antrim councillors have voted against introducing additional car park barriers along the Antrim Coast, opting instead to retain the current arrangements.

At Monday evening’s meeting of the council’s Environment and Economy Committee, held at The Braid in Ballymena, members agreed to keep the existing barriers in place, with none to be removed.

The committee was told that access to some council-owned car parks had previously been restricted after damage occurred to the toilet block at Drains Bay car park.

At the time, councillors agreed to install height barriers to prevent larger vehicles entering the sites, with the aim of discouraging encampments in car parks — particularly along the A2 Coast Road.

A committee report noted that barriers are currently in place at ten of the council’s 62 car parks across the borough, including eight of 13 located between Larne and Garron Point.

However, the report added that recent experiences had shown locked barriers “do not restrict access to certain groups as they have the tools to remove locks and open the barriers”.

Council officers also reported receiving “regular complaints from motor home and camper van users” unable to access certain car parks.

“Council officers also regularly receive complaints from motorists that they cannot use the facilities due to the number of motor homes/camper vans taking up car parking spaces as well as blocking the view of the sea,” the report stated.

Speaking at the meeting, Larne Lough DUP Councillor Gregg McKeen said:

“It’s a case of we’re damned if we do and damned if we don’t.”

He acknowledged the economic benefits of camper vans visiting the borough, commenting:

“It is good to see camper vans being attracted to the borough but I understand people who maybe think they are being an inconvenience – they are blocking parking spaces.”

Cllr McKeen noted that in Glenarm, there are designated areas where camper vans can park, alongside car parks reserved for cars. He proposed maintaining the “status quo” and to “keep an eye on it”, adding:

“If things become very difficult, we could look at it again.”

Larne Lough UUP Councillor Roy Beggs said:

“I do not think we have strong evidence to take a decision one way or another.”

He referred to feedback from residents about Whitehead’s public car park, where, on occasion, around 30 camper vans had parked free of charge and “taken over the whole car park”.

Cllr Beggs also noted that the Traveller community had previously “taken over” some car parks, adding that barriers provided “some degree of protection” and that he would be “reluctant to take them away”.

Knockagh Alliance Councillor Aaron Skinner said he agreed with maintaining the current position, adding:

“I generally agree. I do not think there is enough evidence to change it.”

Council director of operations Shaun Morley told members that if the council were to provide a specific facility for camper vans, it would be “much more regulated” and operate on a charged, “first come, first served” basis.

Bannside TUV Councillor Anna Henry asked whether, if the issue was revisited in the future, designated spaces could be marked out for camper vans and motorhomes.

Mr Morley replied:

“We would definitely try to regulate it so everybody gets a bite of the cherry. We would have to impose some kind of charge.”

Braid TUV Councillor Matthew Warwick questioned whether the issue was being “exacerbated because of the closure of Carnfunnock”, which is currently shut to facilitate a £6.1m redevelopment.

Mr Morley responded:

“I do not think so. This has been an ongoing problem for a long time. It is nothing new. I just felt we could draw a line under it.”