Bibury installs fences around River Coln to curb tourist disruption
The parish council in Bibury, Gloucestershire, has erected fencing along the River Coln after visitors repeatedly entered the water and damaged wildlife.
Bibury, a Cotswold village celebrated as the world’s most beautiful, is confronting overwhelming tourist numbers that far exceed its 600-person population. After reports of visitors paddling, placing furniture in the River Coln and leaving litter, the parish council voted to install fences along the waterway. Craig Chapman, chair of the council, described the measure as a drastic but necessary step to safeguard local wildlife such as swans, ducks, voles and fish.
Long-time residents, including 71-year-old Kris Watts and 14-year resident Victoria Summerley, said the influx of coaches and social-media promotion has created gridlock and pollution, making daily life hazardous. While Gloucestershire County Council has introduced temporary coach drop-off zones, locals argue that the fencing is essential to preserve the river’s trout stream and the village’s historic charm.
Why it matters
The fences reflect growing tensions between tourism and preservation in a globally renowned heritage site.
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