A Waterford City and County Councillor have raised an issue in relation to illegal camping on beaches and seaside locations in the county.
Cllr Tom Cronin has said he has seen a number of tents appearing on the beach in Ardmore that seems to be getting worse as time goes on.
Speaking to Eamon Keane the West Waterford Councillor said:
"They were lighting fires along the beachfront and in this time of the year, especially with the year that we had, you can't be doing that."
According to the Councilor, there are a number of campervans lined up along the "storm wall" and the promenade in Ardmore.
"There are ongoing problems for a number of years in Ardmore, they are creating havoc as you go to the beach, just on the bend they are parking and staying overnight."
Even though there are a number of bylaws in place, Cllr Cronin has said he is going to meet with Gabriel Hynes, Head Engineer with Waterford City and County Council to come up with a solution to the issue.
Responding to the Finna Fail Councilor's concerns was Colin McCarthy Secretary of Pheonix Motorhome club and said that these issues can be solved through existing bylaws.
"Traffic wardens have powers to issues fines for that carry-on and a Litter Warden can issue fines for putting out table's and chairs because under the Litter Pollution Act 1997 that would be considered littering. "
He stated to Eamon Keane that The Phoenix Motorhome Club as a "delegation" made a powerpoint presentation to Waterford City and County Council for the Dungarvan, Ardmore area four years ago in which the group set out how the parking of motorhomes can be regulated and controlled.
"Around about the same time the town of Cobh was experiencing similar issues and we had a similar interaction with Cobh and since then, Cobh have put in place a 30 bay motorhome parking area which is an excellent facility and it's also backed up by appropriate by-laws to control the very activity that Cllr Cronin is complaining about," said the Pheonix Motorhome Club Secretary.
Listen to Eamon interview Mr McCarthy's and Cllr Cronin on the issue below.
https://soundcloud.com/wlrfmwaterford/colin-mccarthy-secretary-of-the-phoneix-motorhome-club-on-illegal-camping
https://soundcloud.com/wlrfmwaterford/cllr-tom-cronin-on-illegal-camping-on-ardmore-beach
