RESIDENTS REACT AS CAMPER VANS DESCEND ON XÀBIA COASTLINE

The continued invasion of camper vans along Primer Muntanyar in Xàbia has raised a few hackles in the local community as residents call on the town hall and local police to do more to discourage the RVs from taking over the seafront not only during the winter months but increasingly so throughout the year.

Ever since the town hall modified the stretch of road between the port and the Arenal, parking has been restricted to two areas at either end. And it seems that, despite overnight parking on the public highway being prohibited under municipal bylaw, many RV owners are ignoring it and setting up camp in these areas, reducing already limited parking for other vehicles.

Back in 2016, in response to the local police having difficulty assessing whether such vehicles were parking or setting up camp for an overnight stay, the local council approved a municipal bylaw that prohibited the parking of motorhomes on the seafront as well as those streets leading to it with fines of between 50 and 100 euros for doing so as well as additional fines for littering and emptying wastewater in unauthorised areas.

In 2021, the local council installed a yellow sign which clearly prohibited the parking of “motor homes, recreational vehicles, lorries and coaches” in the parking zone at the port end of the coastal road (as well as other areas, such as Granadella). It is apparent that this sign is no longer in position, either removed by the council or by someone else.

And it’s not just an out-of-season problem. The issue was raised by residents back in the summer of this year when they reported to the local council that camper vans were parking up for days at a time in the same parking zone and raised concerns that it was going to become a permanent site for these type of vehicles. They claimed that they had reported the situation “for a long time” and called on the local council and police to ensure compliance with municipal bylaws.

In recent years, Jávea has acknowledged the rise in nomadic tourism and recently opened two service areas for motorhomes to empty wastewater, deposit rubbish and fill up with drinkable water. However, as far as it is known, the bylaw remains – motorhome owners cannot set up camp overnight on the public highway.

One resident, who lives in a complex overlooking the sea, told us that “you can’t park [your car] any more. It has become a camper van site. Isn’t it illegal for them to be there? [There were] 28 this morning. They are spreading the word amongst their community that it’s a freebie place to park and stay for a couple of weeks!”

A growing sense of anger on social media has spilled over into local media as residents say that the camper vans defy the town hall’s objective of leaving the Primer Muntanyar largely free of vehicles so that the stunning views of the Cap de Sant Antoni and Cap Prim as well as the wide bay in between can be enjoyed by all. But for some who live in the area, they can only enjoy the sound of the waves crashing onto the rocks; their view has been blocked by the row of camper vans.

However, not everyone is against the invasion. Social media has also divided opinion with some arguing that the arrival of the RVs is good for the local economy outside of the high season, claiming that the occupants will use bars and restaurants in the town, although others disagree: “This type of tourism is also called “Mercadona tourism”, they don’t spend money on hotels or restaurants” while another added that “they would add more if they paid for parking in a correct camping site”.

The rising popularity of motorhomes, especially after the pandemic, is likely to ensure that these issues will remain for some local residents until the local council and police make it clear what is and what is not permitted. The removal of the yellow signs which detailed that the parking these types of vehicles was not allowed has not helped either. In an age of transparency (apparently), we need more clarity.