Agenda item

Summary:

Options considered:

With continued uncertainty about the opportunities for people to take overseas holidays this summer due to the ongoing COVID pandemic, it is expected that demand for staycation holidays in the UK will be strong; such that tourist destinations, such as North Norfolk, will need to make some contingency arrangements to manage larger numbers of staying and day visitors to the district than might be the case in a more “normal” year.  This report details the consideration the District Council is giving to the management of larger numbers of visitors to the District during the summer of 2021.

Do nothing and potentially see overcrowded seaside resort locations where a lack of parking, overcrowded beaches and town / village centres mean that visitors do not have a positive experience of the District and may not make repeat visits in future years.

Conclusions:

That the Council seeks to take a number of actions as detailed in the report to accommodate larger numbers of visitors to the District during this summer as part of the District’s Recovery from the COVID pandemic in a way which seeks to minimise transmission of the virus, protects local residents and visitors, supports local businesses and economic recovery in the short, medium and longer terms.

Recommendations:

Reason for Recommendations:-

Council is asked to note the report and actions proposed to accommodate large numbers of visitors to the District this summer, including:-

·       Provision of advanced road signage promoting the large capacity of the Runton Road Car Park in Cromer, including the overflow “Carnival” field;

·       Proposed provision of chargeable weekend and Bank Holiday parking at the District Council’s Holt Road offices in Cromer;

·       Exploring the operation of a Park and Ride service to serve Sheringham in conjunction with a private landowner in the A148 corridor to the south of the town, with a frequent bus service to the town centre (to operate throughout July and August);

·       Exploring the provision of a food court area from which to serve takeaway food / street food by local businesses from the vacant former tennis court area of North Lodge Park, with additional seating and bins in the park to reduce queues and congestion in the town centre

·       Refreshing our social distancing measures and signage as appropriate

·       With Visit North Norfolk promote less busy parts of the District for visitors to explore to “avoid the crowds” through social media and other campaigns

·       Review the provision and servicing of litter bins and public toilets in main visitor locations in the District to manage larger visitor numbers

·       Provision of a composting toilet at the Beach Road car park in Weybourne in response to increased numbers of visitors to this car park.

To ensure the Council makes appropriate advance planning arrangements to accommodate larger numbers of visitors to the District’s principal coastal resorts over the 2021 summer.

Cabinet Member(s): Cllr Richard Kershaw

Ward(s) affected:- All, but particularly coastal wards and wards in The Broads area