As I was walking back from the old Mary Stanford lifeboat house on Saturday, I was shocked at the level of noise coming from Camber beach. My immediate thoughts were with the residents who have to put up with this and so much more when the sun comes out, so I got in touch with John Bradford of Camber Parish Council because I felt he would give a good overview of how local people are feeling.
“Residents have a number of major concerns and issues which arise each summer and seem irresolvable. However, since Covid and the changing of work/life patterns, they happen more frequently. Holiday-makers and day-trippers are at the resort at other times than the traditional six week summer.
"When the Prime Minister said that people could travel anywhere it was like a free for all. Thousands descended on Camber at various times including term time and the traditional working week. This continues.
"Yesterday, Sunday 17 July, saw the greatest number of cars and visitors in memory. The estimate, based on previous record-keeping and memories over thirty years was 30,000 +/- on the beach.
Seriously dangerous numbers
"It might seem that the vast expanse of sand can accommodate that number, but at high tide it is a seriously dangerous number in terms of beach and water safety. It is believed that with the staffing resources available – coastal officers, RNLI, car park stewards and beach team that 15,000-18,000 is the optimum.
"I have spoken to many staff and residents this morning, Monday 18 July, who recount many ‘horror’ stories of their experiences with visitors this past weekend and these are increasingly more in number. Despite social media warnings about staying out of the sun these were contradicted by many weather reports suggesting that if you wanted to stay cool you should get to the coast!
"As is clear from posts on social media, all the car parks were full by 9.30 am on Sunday. Notices were posted by the agencies beyond Camber stating this fact, but the drivers kept coming. The tail-back for parking at Western and/or entering the village stretched back to the A259, with possibly up to 2-3 miles of static traffic.
Nothing could move
"Entry to Camber from the East (Lydd) meant, with the illegal parking on the verges and roadside, that the vehicles met bonnet to bonnet. There was a total impasse where nothing could move. Buses were cancelled, emergency vehicles had no access, carers were unable to reach clients and meal deliveries halted.
"Those wishing to travel out were trapped, those wishing to get to work stopped. This happens too for the school buses in term-time and for the working public, as visitors flock here outside weekends and holiday period.
"The double yellow lines temporarily extended west from Camber to beyond the golf club were mainly ineffective as people parked to walk into the resort. Then, of course, those who obey the restrictions seek parking anywhere around the village. This includes the pavements and in front of drives blocking residents in.
Attacks on local people
"One of the physical attacks you may have heard about was an attack on a woman asking a motorist not to park across her drive. You may also know of the toilet attendant attacked and beaten around the face as he tried to close up. Verbal and physical attacks on staff and residents are reported to me far more frequently now.
"Police numbers are limited, as we know, and are concentrated on the beach and the large number of lost children every day. Traffic is no longer a priority. Answering 999s is travel-restricted.
"A fine for illegal parking is £35 if paid early. This is not a deterrent. Parking attendants will tell you that when a driver is asked if he/she would like to move their vehicle or have a ticket they opt for the latter, a cheap price to pay. The tickets can be found all around the village, discarded and thrown to the ground. Then again, with thousands of cars how can parking enforcement keep on top of the vast problem.
"A local RDC councillor, Lizzie Hackett, organised a petition signed by many authorities seeking permission to set higher fines as London can. The Ministerial answer was 'not at this time’. Residents feel that £200+ fines would really hit the pocket.
Anti-social behaviour
"Then we come to the disastrous issue of litter, not exclusive to Camber as we know. But the irresponsible anti-social behaviour of visitors is just astounding. Today the village, fields, verges, streets and beach are covered in discarded litter, thrown out of vehicles, left anywhere and everywhere, just dropped out of the car door before departure. The tonnage overwhelms the contractors Biffa who have restricted mobility for collection with road blockages and tides.”
If you want a summary of seaside hell, surely this is it. A very big thank you to John for writing so much for this article.
