Highways boss pledges to revisit introduction of bylaw

A clampdown on campervan owners ‘setting up camp’ along residential roads during FolkWeek is on the cards, after reoccurring problems caused misery for homeowners.

Residents of the Bickwell Valley and Glen Road say they once again had to put up with campervan and motor home occupants parking in the street and using garden hedges to relieve themselves in.

Christine Bull spoke out about the problems last year and said there is still an issue, adding that one van stayed for a full week with a child and baby on board.

Complaints have prompted a pledge from Devon County Council (DCC) highways boss Councillor Stuart Hughes to revisit plans for a bylaw to address the issues.

Cllr Hughes said: “Parking of campervans in the Bickwell Valley and Glen Road was raised two years ago, at which time I tried, without success, to introduce a bylaw to prevent this from occurring.

“I believe it would be worthwhile revisiting this again as it was, by and large, the public disorder taking place with occupants of the campervans relieving themselves in residents’ hedges that was creating the most concern.

“One other area that should be seriously looked at next year is parking of vehicles in Hillside Road, as it would have been difficult for a fire appliance to gain access to several properties.”

Festival director John Braithwaite agreed the problems needed to be dealt with and said he hoped a solution could be found that directed campervan owners onto the festival site, or other campsites around.

He said the festival was a ‘huge success’ and outlined plans to build on excitement generated by performances in the Bulverton, by names such as Seth Lakeman, who drew one of the biggest crowds ever to the venue.