We’re furious after grass verge we’ve parked on for 35 years was blocked by council with 40m fence – it makes no sense
A COUPLE are furious after the council fenced off a roadside verge to stop them parking near their home.
James and Tracey Woodbine claim they used the grassy area without any issue for 35 years before the 130ft barrier was erected to keep them out.
The pair described the structure as a "waste of public money" and claim it will "cause more problems than it’s supposed to solve".
Tracey, 57, said: "I just can’t understand why we can’t park our vehicles on there - it just doesn’t make sense."
The couple set up a successful glamping business - Woody's Glamping - near the village of Llangernym, north Wales, in 2016 after Tracey’s family first moved to the home 46 years ago.
Up until recently relatives and other visitors were able to use verge, which is on a quiet country road, to park their vehicles.
READ MORE ON MOTORS
But Conwy County Borough Council, which owns the land, has now enclosed it within a wooden fence, claiming the parking posed a safety risk due to the lack of visibility for drivers on the road's bend.
Tracey said their problems with the council began when workmen attempted to paint double yellow lines on the road two years ago without giving the correct notice.
"The council didn’t follow the correct protocol that time so we were able to get it stopped," she said.
"But the verge has been an issue ever since."
Most read in The Sun
She believes complaints were first lodged with the local authority at the start of lockdown in 2020 when more vehicles were using the land.
"We had more people staying at our home then and because we were in lockdown, nobody could drive anywhere," she said.
"When that ended, there were only our two cars and those belonging to our guests.
"But we only have two tents and a lodge, so that was generally another three vehicles at most."
Tracey has labelled the complaints "vexatious" and believes they originate from one local rival business owner.
Despite being unhappy about the fencing plans, the Woodbines submitted a planning application for a new parking area on their land and claim the council agreed to hold off erecting the fence until that work was completed.
But the 130ft (40 metre) long structure was installed earlier this month, and Tracey says her 80-year-old mother Joan now struggles to walk after being forced to park 328ft (100m) away from the family home.
I just can’t understand why we can’t park our vehicles on there - it just doesn’t make sense
Tracey Woodbine
James, 55, who underwent heart surgery in June, also has to park his car further away and blasted the council’s safety concerns as "nonsense".
He said there had never been any accidents on the road due to vehicles parking on the verge.
"The council spoke to police but got advice from a PCSO not a road traffic officer," he said.
"I don’t agree the parking posed any safety risks and, if anything, the new fence will cause more problems than it’s supposed to solve.
"There are large tractors and they’d use the verge to pass safely along the road, but they can’t do that now.
"And, at night, other vehicles may not see the fence and drive into it."
He added: "If there were safety concerns, the fence should have been put up under transport regulations.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
Read More on The Sun
"To me, this just seems like a waste of public money."
A Conwy County Borough Council said: "We have installed fencing on Council-owned land by a sharp bend in the road to ensure forward visibility for drivers."
