GET-TOUGH council chiefs are set to outlaw vans from using Clacton seafront as a free campsite.

Bosses want to ban overnight stays and cut the length of time people can park during the day at the most popular sites.

Cars could be limited to two-hour stays near the town centre and eight hours further from the town centre.

Tendring Council says the blitz will lead to a greater turnover of parking spaces and prevent camper vans staying there overnight.

People have been known to pitch for weeks on the seafront.

The plans will have to go before County Hall highways bosses and a public consultation before they can be introduced.

Tendring cabinet spokesman Harry Shearing said it would make a huge difference and help to control parking along the busy seafront.

He said: “It will be to the benefit of many and only really affect those who are using this area inconsiderately “Residents have complained about it for years. It would increase the turnaround of some of the spaces nearer to the town centre.”

Mr Shearing also claimed it would free up spaces for people visiting Clacton District Hospital who often struggled to park nearby.

The seafront, from Edith Road to Trafalgar Road, and Harold Road, to Vista Road, would be made two-hour zones under the proposals.

Eight-hour limits would be introduced from Trafalgar Road along the west greensward, and from St Paul’s Road to Connaught Gardens.

Further restrictions would be introduced to prevent the problem simply being shifted to the other side of the road.