RESIDENTS of a picturesque town where Harry Potter was filmed have told how their lives are being ruined by tourists.
Locals in Malhamdale, Yorkshire, say the area is overwhelmed with visitors who cause gridlock traffic with their parked cars.
Harry Potter was filmed at Malham Cove[/caption]
Residents say tourists are causing traffic chaos[/caption]
The area is famous for featuring in the film adaptations of JK Rowlings magic series as well as several TV shows including Netflix’s The Witcher.
But the attention the blockbusters have drawn to the area has left residents fuming.
They say the cars “abandoned” by tourist who have stopped to take pictures is now a safety hazard as it makes it impossible for emergency vehicles to pass.
It comes after Kirby Malhamdale Parish Council approved a multi-pronged traffic management plan for Malham, reports Bristol Post.
It brings an end to six years of consultation with residents over the long-standing traffic problems.
In a statement, the council’s chairman, Councillor Chris Wildman, said: “The visitor numbers have certainly shown no signs of diminishing, and in fact over the past five-plus years, and particularly post-Covid-19, the visitor numbers have increased significantly.”
The plans will see double yellow lines being reintroduced – while the council will work with local landowners to provide parking in fields near hotspot areas.
Councillor Wildman said: “This will also be done as sensitively as possible from an aesthetic viewpoint.”
In planning papers Malham Show chair Garry Schofield said: “Off-road car parking is necessary because otherwise the roads and village of Malham become gridlocked due to the high volume of cars arriving simultaneously.
“The development will have a very limited temporary impact on the landscape character of the area.”
It comes after residents of another small village revealed the chaos that comes with living next to the site of one of the UK’s most popular festivals – Boardmasters.
Locals of Porth, Cornwall, see up to 50,000 tourists flock to the area to enjoy five days of sun, surfing and live music every year.
And locals of a picturesque seaside town loved by Prince William and Princess Kate told how their area is also being ruined by tourists.
Locals in Anglesey, Wales, say visitors are making their lives hell by clogging up the roads.
It was recently a filming location for the House of the Dragon – and the Prince and Princess of Wales famously had a home close by in Bodorgan.
But its popularity has been causing havoc for residents in Newborough – as tourists must drive through to reach Ynys Llanddwyn.
