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    19

    Aug 2023

    Last Updated: 18/08/2023
    Environment
    Environment

    Councillor calls for clampdown on overnight parking at Knaresborough's Conyngham Hall

    by John Plummer

    | 19 Aug, 2023
    Comment

    0

    collage-maker-18-aug-2023-02-48-pm-7054
    Matt Walker and a sign saying 'no overnight parking'

    A Knaresborough councillor has called for a clampdown on overnight parking at Conyngham Hall.

    About a dozen vehicles pitched up at the back of the car park and stayed for three nights a week ago.

    Signs say overnight parking is prohibited but the rule is often flouted.

    Conyngham Hall car park last weekend.



    Cllr Matt Walker, a Liberal Democrat who represents Knaresborough West, said the latest encampment, which he reported to a council officer, was the largest he was aware of.

    He said:

    "I have on several occasions asked for the gate at the end to have a padlock due to overnight stays of motorhomes.
    "There are always excuses and reasons why not."


    Cllr Walker says the gate should be locked at night.



    Cllr Walker said the cost of moving on vehicles and cleaning up afterwards could cost taxpayers thousands of pounds.

    He added:

    "Residents let me know every few weeks over the summer that people are camping in their vans and often leave it a mess, The council haven't listened so far."


    The Stray Ferret asked the council what action it took against last week's encampment and why it didn't lock the gates as suggested by Cllr Walker.



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    Steve Brown, the council's head of parking services, said:

    “We started the protocols needed to remove the encampment as soon as we were made aware of their arrival in Conyngham Hall car park.
    "However, the process takes time and the travellers moved on by Monday. Our environment team cleaned-up any rubbish left behind.”
    "This car park is open 24 hours a day."