Tourists Cause Parking Chaos in Bibury, Cotswolds

Bibury, a small Cotswold village with a population of fewer than 1,000 residents, is facing significant challenges due to a surge in tourism following the Covid pandemic. The village experiences an influx of up to 20,000 visitors on weekends, leading to severe parking issues exacerbated by the arrival of up to 50 coaches daily. This situation has resulted in tensions between residents and visitors, with reports of physical altercations over parking disputes. Mark Honeyball, Chair of the Bibury Parking Working Group, has been a victim of multiple assaults related to these conflicts, highlighting the aggressive atmosphere that has developed. Local authorities, including County Councillor Lisa Spivey, acknowledge the difficulty in enforcing weight limits on the bridge that restricts heavy vehicles, as monitoring requires police presence, which is not feasible. In response to the parking crisis, solutions are being proposed, including utilizing a nearby trout farm's car park for cars and small coaches to alleviate street congestion. Additionally, there are plans to pedestrianize the central coach parking area, which is deemed unsafe and poorly located. Craig Chapman, Chair of the Parish Council, supports these initiatives as necessary steps to improve safety and accessibility in the village. Gloucestershire County Council is actively involved in monitoring the bridge's condition, which is historical and carries significant traffic. While the presence of coaches contributes to maintenance needs, officials assert that they do not cause damage beyond what regular upkeep would address. The situation remains critical as local leaders seek to balance tourism with the needs of residents.