Concerns over parking at poppy field

Fears over dangerous parking as hordes descend to snap sea of red flowers

A picturesque poppy field near Ashford has become an “Instagram phenomenon” - but concerned villagers claim those flocking to take pictures are risking lives and causing traffic chaos.

Dozens of people eager to get a landscape shot or selfie in amongst the sea of red flowers are parking up on the twisty A251 approaching Faversham from Challock.

Drivers are being forced to risk the possibility of a head-on crash as they manoeuvre their way through chicanes of parked cars on the notoriously busy 50mph road.

Passing point spaces on the narrow Porters Lane, near to the hamlet of North Street, are also being swallowed up by field-goers desperate to get a picture of the vibrant scene.

Searches on Instagram, YouTube and Pintrest prove how the field has become an attraction in recent days, with numerous photos and videos being shared on the social media sites.

Brian Flynn, vice chairman of Ospringe parish council, says the issue is getting out of hand.

“There’s total chaos and traffic jams clogging up the main road because cars are just being dumped everywhere,” he said.

“The passing areas in nearby Porters Lane are blocked so that makes it impossible when you meet oncoming traffic.

“People are coming from far and wide lugging semi-professional gear and tripods. I understand it’s a beautiful field but we haven’t had this problem before - it’s become a phenomenon on Instagram which has got out of hand. They don’t seem to care where they park or how far they make traffic back up by parking illegally.

“They are very different from normal ramblers. From dawn til dusk, the field is full of Instagrammers wading through the flowers desperately trying to find an angle to make it look like they’re the only one in a field of poppies they’ve casually stumbled upon.

“I saw the A251 was red with traffic on Google Maps, and it’s because of this.”

More than 20 parked cars were recorded at one point on the A251 earlier this month - a road which has no parking spaces and is clearly marked with white perimeter lines warning motorists not to stop.

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The striking poppy field off the busy A251 Faversham Road is attracting visitors from far and wide

Parish councillor Brian Flynn is concerned