Villagers near RAF Fairford say they have been swamped by plane spotters watching US bombers amid the Middle East conflict
Residents living near an RAF base claim they’ve been inundated with Iran war plane spotters – ‘causing traffic chaos and weeing everywhere’. The military facility, which is presently accommodating US bombers during the Middle East conflict, has become a magnet for domestic and international aviation enthusiasts.
Enthusiasts set up camp outside the RAF installation for days in their vehicles and caravans – employing ladders to peer over the barriers that were erected to prevent them viewing the site. However, the relentless stream of plane spotters is frustrating residents, who claim they generate antisocial behaviour, “clog up the roads” and treat fields around the base as a “toilet”.
Residents report that hundreds of plane spotters pass through the village of Marston Meysey, situated on the Wiltshire and Gloucestershire border, daily – as it lies within walking distance of RAF Fairford. The location has grown increasingly attractive to spotters since USAF bombers started arriving at the facility earlier this month.
Local resident Dave James, 71, retired, said he witnesses hundreds of spotters daily. He expressed his desire to see all the spotters “away from the village” and increased police presence.
He continued: “We need something in place, to deter them to stay away from here. Why should we be overrun with them? These spotters, are they in favour of fuel and oil prices going up then? Which is what this is causing.
“There’s foreign cars, up the lane, one is from Netherlands so he’s travelled all the way from Holland. They are treating it like a holiday. They are obviously in support of what’s happening in Iran.”, reports Wales Online.
“If Donald Trump has started it that’s why we’ve got this out here and so they must be supporting whatever Donald Trump is doing. I’d like to get all them spotters away from here – out of our community.”
Mr James claimed they are “clogging up the roads”. He continued: “The road is not very wide up through this village and we got people that don’t have off street parking.
“If they are clogging our village up with their cars, people come home from work and they can’t park outside their own property.”
He explained that some aviation enthusiasts position themselves in fields surrounding the base and “don’t care” about who owns the land. He and his partner Chrissie James maintain allotments alongside the public footpath leading to RAF Fairford and have been forced to place cones to prevent the public parking there.
Mr James continued: “They don’t care whose properties it is. The farmers are trying to grow grass for signage and they are trampolining it all day. It’s a public footpath – they are up there with their chairs, they’re all sat down.
“They screened off the fencing, but they got ladders so they’re looking over the airfield still – so who’s policing these signs? We seem to be a forgotten community out here. We shouldn’t have to put up with the hassle of all those spotters I think.” Mrs James, 77, also retired, added: “Some of the plane spotters get quite abusive and they block people’s entrances “It wears you down a bit. It’s a war for God’s sake, it’s not a pleasure. And they are leaving a mess as well.”
Kirsty Payne, 57, a charity worker, said that whilst plane spotters regularly visit the area, ever since RAF Fairford has been utilised by the US, residents have been “absolutely swamped” with them. She explained that they have descended on the area and “parked everywhere”, making it difficult for ambulances and the school bus to pass through, whilst also causing antisocial behaviour.
Ms Payne added: “They have no facilities down there. We can’t walk the dogs down there anymore because there’s toilet paper and human excrement in the bushes.
“They are weeing everywhere – they’re there for hours and hours. There’s people climbing up trees, everyone’s on their stepladders. Wildlife and hedgerows will suffer from people urinating and defecating. They also leave rubbish behind which isn’t great for the wildlife either.”
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She went on to say that not all plane spotters are at fault, but that a small minority is “making it much worse” for local residents. One plane spotter, who wished to remain anonymous, commented: “I’m here for the day, I’m at my car and I’ve got sandwiches. I love aircraft so that’s why I come here.” Cllr Martin Smith, Cabinet Member for Highways, said: “We recognise the concerns raised by residents about congestion, inconsiderate parking, and the potential impact on road safety. Responsibility for ensuring highway safety, maintaining emergency access, and responding to any immediate obstructions lies with the police.
“Over the weekend, officers issued warnings where appropriate, and our Civil Enforcement Officers were present to issue Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) to vehicles parked in contravention of existing restrictions, such as on double yellow lines. We will continue to monitor these areas as part of our routine enforcement work.
“Where no formal parking restrictions are in place, the council is not able to take enforcement action. However, we remain willing to work with the local community and parish councils to explore future options for managing parking pressures, should they wish to pursue new measures.
“Residents who encounter vehicles causing an active obstruction or posing a safety risk should report these directly to the police, who have the necessary powers to respond.”
Cllr Joe Harris, cabinet member for highways at Gloucestershire County Council, said: “We have put temporary traffic management measures in place on roads around RAF Fairford, in response to requests by the police and RAF Fairford to address safety and access issues.
“A number of traffic cones have been installed along the verge and the shared pedestrian/cycleway on Whelford Road after vehicles were parking on the route, causing obstructions and raising safety and security concerns.
“In addition, a road closure has been introduced on Dunfield Road, so local residents can still access their properties at all times. All of the measures currently in place have been agreed following discussions with Gloucestershire Constabulary and RAF Fairford.
“The situation will continue to be kept under review, with the safety of residents, pedestrians, cyclists and road users remaining the priority.”
Wiltshire Police Inspector Scott Anger stated: “We have been working closely with colleagues from Gloucestershire Constabulary and the MOD, as well as engaging with the Marston Meysey Parish Council to address these concerns. We have been carrying out regular patrols to support the local community.”
Insp Anger continued: “I was present in Marston Meysey today (19/03) and engaged with some of the aircraft enthusiasts there today and I saw that everyone was parked in a considerate manner and were well behaved. We appreciate that the warm weather has attracted more people and we are asking people to be mindful if they visit the village.
“It is worth bearing in mind that screens have now been put in place by the RAF, so the view is limited.”
