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NC500 Ullapool ‘Overnight Stay Bays’ spark concerns around ‘totally unhygienic’ overflowing bins ‘not fit for purpose’





The bins at Latheron Lane car park in Ullapool.
The bins at Latheron Lane car park in Ullapool.

Ullapool locals have raised concerns over the “totally unhygienic” and potentially “hazardous” bins which facing increasing pressure due to Highland Council’s new ‘Overnight Stay Bay’ scheme.

Latheron Lane car park in Ullapool currently has a few double bins supplied by voluntary community organisation Welcome Ullapool — however for many years the bins are often overflowing with rubbish during tourist season.

Now the Highland Council has introduced new Overnight Stay Bay (OSB) markings on six of the 32 motorhome bays in the car park. These new road markings are understood to be a part of the Highland Council’s new £40 per week voluntary payment scheme for caravans and motorhomes visiting the Highlands.

Since the new markings, there haven’t been any facilities introduced to the car park to cope with the overnight visitors.

“Despite charging cars for parking, the Highland Council have not provided one extra bin to cope with the vast increase in waste and rubbish,” said a concerned local resident. “The current double bins are now obviously not fit for purpose for the increased amounts generated.

“The bins overflowing happens on most busy weekends, and results waste being blown across the car park or seagulls pulling it out. Some of this waste is very hazardous since many motorhome users bin their used toilet paper in plastic bags. I’ve had to pick these up before — it’s just totally unhygienic.”

The bins at Latheron Lane car park in Ullapool.
The bins at Latheron Lane car park in Ullapool.

Local MSP and Ullapool resident, Maree Todd said: “From what I understand, the Latheron Lane car park in Ullapool has been operating on a volunteer pay basis for some time. Although it is now part of the new £40 per week voluntary payment scheme, the rollout is still in its early stages, with no evidence yet that it is attracting more overnight visitors. I am aware that the ‘overnight stay bays’ have been introduced by the Highland Council to ensure there is a safe distance between the bays.

“With the ever-increasing popularity of the NC500 route, there is a need for more infrastructure to support the increase in visitors to the area. I welcome the principles of the Highland Campervan and Motorhome scheme as the revenue it generates will be reinvested to support further infrastructure development and promote sustainable tourism.

MSP for Caithness, Sutherland and Ross, Maree Todd.
MSP for Caithness, Sutherland and Ross, Maree Todd.

“I have heard concerns about waste management at the car park and have raised this issue with the Highland Council. Additional bins or more frequent waste collections may be necessary to keep the community clean.”

Local councillor, Liz Kraft, echoed these sentiments.

Liz Kraft.
Liz Kraft.

“The Council is in the process of updating signage at the 12 overnight carparks included in the scheme which will including messaging within parking bays that indicate which bays are for overnight parking. This signage and messaging in the bays will apply a 4m distancing for overnight parking. The messages on signs will highlight the use of these bays only for overnight parking. Vehicles using the Council’s 12 overnight carparks must be self-contained.

“Participants in this voluntary scheme are advised on how to dispose of waste and wastewater. The sitemap on the website www.highland.gov.uk/motorhome indicates the nearest recycling centre and wastewater disposal point for each overnight car park. There are also links to the waste and wastewater network to help visitors plan which sites are most convenient as they travel around the Highlands. All scheme users are asked to leave every site as they found it and ensure that all wastewater is disposed of at an official site.

“Regarding the bin in question at Ullapool Latheron Lane car park we can confirm that this will be emptied as soon as is possible. Full or overflowing bins can be reported 24/7 using the Council’s online reporting form at www.highland.gov.uk/report.”




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