Burnsall parking field closure prompts Dales village safety fears

Visitors to a Yorkshire Dales village plagued by traffic congestion have been urged not to “abandon your car in a stupid spot” after a popular parking field was permanently closed.

The owners of Burnsall Park said on Monday the decision to shut the facility came after complaints of anti-social behaviour, littering and illegal parking and barbecue use.

Ahead of what is set to be a hot weekend, the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority (YDNPA) said there would be “very few spaces available for visitors arriving by car” and urged tourists to plan ahead.

Ed Williams, chair of Burnsall Parish Council, said: “We honestly don’t know what’s going to happen this weekend. It’s trepidation on our part.”

He said police would work with YDNPA, council highways enforcement officers and “locals with yellow bibs” to try to keep traffic flowing this weekend.

He said they wanted to ensure the village’s narrow roads were not blocked by inconsiderate parking, particularly to allow access for emergency vehicles.

“If somebody has a heart attack, we want an ambulance to get through,” he said.

“It’s common sense basically. Don’t abandon your car in a stupid spot because that’s when the problems are caused.”

Williams said the village had frequently seen “chaos” when Burnsall Park had temporarily closed in the past, including over the May bank holiday.

“Cars are still turning up, they can’t get on the field and they just abandon their cars anywhere,” he said.

Four years ago, roads had to be closed after queues a mile long formed on every route into the village.

“That’s why we will be out early on Saturday and hopefully… stop any build-up like that,” he said.