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Closed petition PE2191: Review legislation in order to strengthen the Scottish Outdoor Access Code
Calling on the Scottish Parliament to urge the Scottish Government to review the legislation concerning the Scottish Outdoor Access Code (SOAC), in order to:
• explicitly prohibit camping in a vehicle, outside of designated camping zones
• make the provisions of the Code legally enforceable by introducing dedicated enforcement teams and fines for Code violations.
Background information
Scotland's tourism is an environmental catastrophe. Visitor numbers soar, infrastructure crumbles and ecosystems collapse under unsustainable pressure. The evidence is undeniable. Wildfires destroying ancient habitats. Raw sewage and waste poisoning our waterways. Protected species disturbed, rare flora trampled. Emergency services blocked by illegally parked vehicles. Heritage sites desecrated. Communities overwhelmed. The current system failing spectacularly. Every delay sees irreversible damage to Scotland's irreplaceable natural heritage.
The current Scottish Outdoor Access Code is powerless and routinely ignored by irresponsible tourists and vehicle rental companies claiming access rights. Other nations balance access with protection through enforceable regulations. We need mandatory environmental impact assessments, designated camping zones, fines for violations, and dedicated enforcement teams. This isn't about restricting access, it's about ensuring there's something left to access, through legislative reform, backed by real enforcement. The time for guidance has passed. We need laws that command respect.
This petition was considered by the Scottish Parliament
1,139 signatures