CALLS are being made to stop camper van owners illegally dumping toilet waste in Teignmouth.

Concerns have been raised after witnesses reported seeing several camper van owners tipping waste directly into drains.

One claimed to have seen a man emptying his toilet into drains at the town’s cemetery.

The complaint has also sparked more calls for parking restrictions for vans and motor homes in the town.

But the disposal of waste has caused concern over the potential pollution of the town’s water systems and the sea.

Devon, Teignbridge and Teignmouth councillor David Cox has said he will raise the issue with the relevant departments, pointing out it is illegal to put human waste in road drains.

However, it is not illegal to live in a camper van parked on a highway unless there is a bylaw prohibiting such action.

Cllr Cox explained: ‘Under section 77 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 a local authority can order any person living in a vehicle within its area to move off any land that forms part of a highway.’

Others complained that while is was clearly stated on the seafront and the Point car park that no motor homes should park overnight, it was regularly seen that the regulation is flouted yet no action is taken.

Polly Steps is one location where camper vans are allowed to park.

But it has been claimed the disposal of effluent has also been seen there too.

The complaints have also raised the issue of the lack of provision of designated points for vans and motorhomes to offload such waste.

One van user said: ‘Unfortunately, unless staying on a campsite with this facility, the UK lacks provisions for travelling campers.

‘Europe has a much better, cleaner system with elsan (toilet sanitation) and water points readily available.’

The sightings have raised further discussion about providing more official designated parking areas for the vehicles which could bring in revenue for the town’s businesses.

Another resident commented: ‘The main issue in Teignmouth is not motorhomes parking in the day and spending money in the town which is great.

‘It’s specifically the ones that only use the seafront and the point to park overnight, not spend any money in the town, and empty their toilet waste into drains that go into the water course.’

Anyone seeing such incidents is being asked to report it to Teignbridge Council’s environmental health officers.