Congestion 'is like living next to busy motorway'
BBCResidents in a Cotswolds village have staged a "day of action" to fight what they say "constant congestion" from tourists amid fears there was "an accident waiting to happen".
Bourton-on-the-Water, in Gloucestershire, home to about 4,000 residents, saw a group meeting to try and encourage a cap on the number of visitors permitted and a change in parking regulations.
Paul Doxsey said living there was "like living next to the M5 on a Saturday and Sunday. Just so many cars, in and out, turning round on your drive and parking illegally".
Cotswold District Council member Tony Dale said there was no "simple solution" but authorities were working on balancing residents and visitors' needs.
Charlotte Joynes, chair of the Bourton Residents Group (BRG) and the organiser of the sit-in, said the village has become "absolutely lawless".
Members of BRG said issues included prams and elderly people unable to walk through the village, as well as nurses and emergency workers being unable to reach people.
The group said it was not asking for a ban on tourists or stopping people from visiting, but was calling for "balance, proper management and action" to be considered.
"Tourism is an important part of our local economy, and we understand and appreciate that visitors are part of village life," it said.
Dennis King said he and his wife wanted to show support about getting the balance right between tourism and living comfortably in the village.
He said: "There's an accident waiting to happen, whether it's about about a responder not being able to get somewhere or someone being involved a road traffic accident [because of] the parking and the coaches and how they arrive in the village."
His wife Jackie King said it was important to get the recognition that "residents matter as much as tourism".
Tina Hamer said: "The village is swamped, it can't cope.
"I even drive to another village to do my banking at the Post Office. I just don't come in.
"We don't need to change the village, we just need to reduce the amount of people that are coming per day," added resident Martin Steer.
"That's what used to happen. The village used to close, when it was full, it was full, and I think they need to have some kind of system where if you want to come here, you need to book in advance," he said.
Steer's neighbour Paul Doxsey said he moved to Bourton-on-the-Water from Cheltenham for a "slower pace of life", but now regretted the move.
He said: "On our road, we can't get out of our houses. You just can't get the cars out. It's constant traffic."
He said people parked on drives illegally "and when you tell them to go, they start abusing you".
"Every weekend me and my wife go out early and don't get back until late because we don't want to be here."
Roger Whyborn, Gloucestershire County Council cabinet member for road safety and sustainable transport, said tourism brought in significant benefits to Bourton's economy but it was recognised it could also create challenges for residents.
"We hear those concerns and understand the impact issues such as congestion, parking and coach traffic can have on daily life," he said.
He added the council was exploring measures, including a residents' parking permit scheme, additional parking controls and improved coach management, as it worked with residents, the parish council, Cotswold District Council and others.
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