Crackdown on coaches in ‘England's most beautiful village' after TikTok invasion
A Cotswold village, famed as 'England's most beautiful', will restrict coach access following an invasion of TikTok tourists.
Councillors say that an influx of sightseers to Bibury, Gloucestershire has become 'intolerable' and poses safety issues to both residents and visitors.
And longer term options for resolving the issue could include banning coaches from stopping and parking in idyllic village.
The village on the River Coln has a trout farm, a Saxon church and a row of 17th-century weavers' cottages. The aesthetic appeal of the village was remarked upon by designer William Morris, who described it as the 'most beautiful village in England'.
The recent surge in visitors to Bibury – which has a population of 581, according to the 2021 census – has been prompted by various social media accounts, promoting its picturesque appearance.
Action is now being taken against the so-called 'TikTok tourists', with the council confirming measures to restrict coach access to the village.
Plans include changing the layout of coach parking bays to stop tour buses waiting in the lay-by, on the B4425, next to the Swan Bridge in the centre of the village. This measure is set to be brought in over the next two months.
The plans have been put together by a working group, which included parish and county councillors, the police and Gloucestershire county council, which announced the measures.
The group also aims to explore whether coaches should be able to access the centre of the village at all. However, this would be dependent on the outcome of a legal consultation process that will start in early summer.
Cllr Craig Chapman, the chairman of Bibury parish council, said: 'Whilst the residents of Bibury acknowledge that we live in a lovely village the pressures put on us by the sheer volume of tourists visiting and coaches bringing tourists has become intolerable and unacceptable.
'As a consequence of the lack of infrastructure, road narrowness and the disruptive and unsafe location of the two existing coach bays, it is a fact that Bibury is not a suitable destination for larger coaches.'
Cllr Chapman added: 'We are therefore thankful that the issues we face have been recognised and positive actions are being taken.'
Meanwhile, Cllr Lisa Spivey, division member for South Cerney, said the new measures would 'help restore some calm' so that 'everyone can enjoy' the 'beautiful historic village'.
She added: 'I have been working closely with the residents of Bibury since they first highlighted it to me 18 months ago.
'Bibury welcomes tourists but the influx of large coaches really poses a danger to residents and visitors and makes the village chaotic almost all year round.'
A Gloucestershire county council spokesman confirmed that longer term recommendations include 'exploring opportunities to prohibit coach stopping and parking' and reviewing existing weight restrictions on [Swan Bridge]'.
Stephen Davies, leader of the council, said: 'We are committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of Bibury residents and visitors. The proposed measures will help manage traffic more effectively and enhance the overall experience for everyone.'
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