Vans parking on road has 'become a nightmare'

Residents have complained about vans parking on their road

Enforcement action to move parked vans on a roadside causing a "nightmare" for residents has begun.

Tensions having been rising among van owners and dwellers parked on Moulton Drive in Bradford-on-Avon, Wiltshire. Homeowners claim the vehicles are "in the way" and the road is too narrow for the vans.

David Price, who lives nearby, said: "This has become a bit of a nightmare in all honesty. I know these people are homeless and have to find somewhere but I wish a spot could be found where these vans could stay."

Wiltshire Council said it will take no further action on the vans being used for transport by homeowners, but people living in their vehicles will be asked to leave the area.

Since the authority began issuing notices, some residents in the area came forward to claim their vans.

Lily Escott, a resident, said: "It's an old town so I think we should have respect for it.

"Things like this [vans] add to traffic and environmentally, there's lots of rubbish left around. Keep it nice and tidy."

Wiltshire Council has issued the van owners with a notice to leave

Boaters living along the canal path close to the road have said they are being blamed for the vans.

Tom, one of the boaters, said: "The vehicles don't belong to the boaters.

"Because we're in that kind of community, we get the blame for it. They come to where the boaters are to use their facilities.

"We have sympathy for them because they have nowhere to live."

Wiltshire councillor Martin Smith, cabinet member for highways, said: "The caravans and vans that are being lived in will be dealt with through our unauthorised encampment process, whereby if they have not left the area by the date specified on the notice, we will escalate the matter using the appropriate powers, taking into account any welfare issues that are raised during our investigation.

"Following the enforcement action that have taken place in the area, we have had positive comments from people residing nearby, who had previously struggled to park their vehicles due to the volume of van and caravan dwellers."