Beauty spot concern ‘The worst anti-social behaviour in a decade’
RESIDENTS in Brislington have said that last weekend they saw the worst parking and antisocial behaviour they have seen in more than a decade.
With claims of nudists sunbathing naked in the area’s treasured secret haven to issues of human faecal matter in the river and woods due to lack of public toilets, residents say they have been pushed to breaking point and driven to take matters into their own hands.
A Bristol woman, who does not wish to be named, said over the past year Eastwood Farm nature reserve has become ever more popular, and what was once the best kept secret for residents of Broomhill and Brislington has now become a favourite spot for visitors from across the city.
The 35-yearold, who has lived in Eastwood Crescent, for 10 years said: “This last weekend proved to be one of our greatest nightmares ever.
“On Saturday, June 12, the road was very busy, it was like living on a main road with traffic build-up and noise.
“When people left the nature reserve, they were shouting in the street, bottles and other litter was left and one person even decided to drive up the road at midnight holding their horn down.
“On Sunday, June 13, just when we all thought it couldn’t get any worse, it did.”
She said numerous residents were forced to call the police to advise them that three emergency vehicles were unable to access Wyndham Crescent because of parked vehicles.
“We have elderly residents who have carers attending to them more than once a day, and we have very young children and residents with small babies unable to access their vehicles properly,” she added.
As the day went on residents found the situation got progressively worse.
Residents claim that vehicles were parked across driveways, on blind corners and bumper to bumper.
This not only forced essential food delivery vehicles to circle the area before finding a suitable place to park, but also caused the neighbourhood to erupt in heated exchanges as residents became fed up with visitors mistreating their street.
It’s reported that cars were even parked on a local basketball court as well as a children’s park. Another resident said: “It’s been an increasing problem since the beginning of the pandemic. Eastwood Farm nature reserve has become very popular, which is well deserved as it’s a bit of a treasure.
“Most people respect the nature reserve but the volume of traffic and unreasonable parking habits has reached a problematic level and residents are struggling to maintain normal routines.
“The track down to Beese’s is not maintained or managed and emergency vehicle access is a really imperative issue.”
Kate, co-owner of the Beese’s – a riverside bar serving Bristol since 1816, said: “We are acutely aware of the issues that have arisen since the increased interest in visiting Eastwood Farm Nature Reserve over the past year or so.
“We are shortly going to discuss our concerns with the council. These will include responsible parking, toilet facilities, safe usage of the river and increased litter.
“We very much hope that these issues can be resolved. We love to see Eastwood Farm and the river being enjoyed by so many people and want everyone to be safe and respect our neighbours.”
Jo Moore, chair of Friends of Eastwood Farm said: “The Friends of Eastwood Farm are friends of our nature reserve because we love it, visit regularly and improve the reserve for the benefit of everyone.
“It has been Bristol’s secret place for many years but during last year’s lockdown and the search for outdoor spaces it was discovered by the masses. It has woodland, ancient meadows, ponds and perhaps the biggest draw, the river.
“The increased popularity in wild swimming has meant that our local nature reserve now has many visitors on hot, sunny days and no infrastructure to ensure their needs are met and the nature reserve remains a nature reserve for all to enjoy.
“We are also very concerned about the impact on the neighbouring residents who have had to deal with the increased traffic.
“The Friends of Eastwood Farm are making suggestions to the council to ensure our beautiful nature reserve remains a very special place for all.”
A Bristol City Council spokesperson said: “Bristol Parks are putting measures in place for Eastwood Farm to manage its use, such as fencing to prevent parking and protect the nature reserve.
“We are aware of the increase in visitors to the nature reserve and recognise the knock-on effects for the local community, including issues with parking affecting access for residents.
“Officers are liaising with the local councillor to try to identify solutions.”
Billy Tovey, 23, was visiting his visiting grandparents on Wyndham Crescent over the weekend and witnessed two parked cars being hit.
He said: “I was there the day it all kicked off. Cars were terribly parked on both sides of the road with some parked on the entire pavement.
He said the street was in chaos as ambulances got stuck, an unmarked police vehicle had to reverse up a cluttered road and people with physical impairment could not use the pavements.
“My grandmother is disabled and uses a scooter but it was impossible for her to go out and she said she’s never seen it this bad in all 14 years of her living here – she was worried,” he added.
Residents on Wyndham Crescent and Eastwood Crescent Road are now demanding action from Bristol City Council.
Brislington ward councillor Tim Rippington said: “The Eastwood Farm area is council owned and managed, and has previously been something of a hidden gem only known to locals – however, in the past few years, with people searching for outdoor spaces because of the pandemic and with the growth in river swimming, it has become much more popular.
“The main issue is that the entrance to the park to which people are directed is at the end of some very crowded residential streets, and there is no official parking at all.
“This has led to people parking in the narrow residential streets nearby, or on the tarmac playground just inside the entrance.
“The sheer volume of visitors who arrive by car is causing the issue.
“Since the problem really became an issue last summer, both myself and the Friends of Eastwood Farm group have been in discussions with the council over moving the official entrance of the farm to the access road on Whitmore Avenue, where the council also owns land that could be used to provide parking. This would both provide a more suitable access and improve the image of the Eastwood Farm site.
“If this were done in conjunction with a possible RPZ in the local streets (subject to a consultation process) we believe a lot of these issues would be resolved.”
My grandmother is disabled and uses a scooter but it was impossible for her to go out and she said she’s never seen it this bad in all 14 years of her living here
Billy Tye