'Chaos' as plane spotters descend on village

6 days ago

Lee Madan,BBC Points Westand

Ben Marvell,Wiltshire

Resident Kirsty Payne said plane spotters are "clogging up" the roads in Marston Meysey

BBC A woman in a blue jumper with green stripes. She is standing outside RAF Fairford and is smiling at the camera. There are cars and people behind her. It is a sunny day. — Resident Kirsty Payne said plane spotters are "clogging up" the roads in Marston Meysey

Residents of a small village near an RAF base say an influx of plane spotters is "causing chaos in the community".

Marston Meysey, on the border of Wiltshire and Gloucestershire, is within walking distance of RAF Fairford, the base being used by the United States Air Force (USAF) to launch operations against Iran.

Members of the public are using ladders to see over the screens that were installed to stop people from viewing the site.

Local resident Kirsty Payne said a crowd of people were "clogging up the roads". Wiltshire Police said it was carrying out regular patrols to "support the local community".

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The area has become popular with plane spotters since USAF bombers began arriving at the base earlier this month.

Resident Roger Baskerville said the issue became more acute at certain times of the day.

"At lunchtime, traffic starts to build up. The bombers went off this morning but later on this evening the bombers will be back and we will start seeing the whole street filling up.

"Once cars are parked all the way round there's nowhere for traffic to turn round – it becomes very problematic," he added.

Roger Baskerville said the problem became worse at different times of day

Roger Baskerville stands by a play park. He is wearing a checked shirt and brown gilet and hat. There is a road behind him and several trees. — Roger Baskerville said the problem became worse at different times of day

Sgt Kate Isaac from Wiltshire Police said: "We are aware of some of the parking issues residents have experienced recently due to plane spotters visiting the area, and along with colleagues at Gloucestershire Constabulary, we have been carrying out regular patrols to support the local community.

"Some of these concerns have related to obstructive parking and littering. We would urge anybody visiting the area to please be considerate of local residents at all times," she added.

Councillor Martin Smith, the cabinet member for highways at Wiltshire Council, said: "We recognise the concerns raised by residents about congestion, inconsiderate parking, and the potential impact on road safety.

"Responsibility for ensuring highway safety, maintaining emergency access, and responding to any immediate obstructions lies with the police."

He added: "We will continue to monitor these areas as part of our routine enforcement work."

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