‘Bourton isn’t just a place – it’s a community. And now, that community is pushed aside’
The Cotswold region is so overrun with tourists that residents are losing access to public spaces in their villages, according to recent research.
That’s one of the findings of a community survey carried out in Bourton-on-the-Water to assess the impact tourism is having on this beautiful village.
Around 4,000 people live in the town, which has been called the Venice of the Cotswolds and attracts around 300,000 tourists every year.
But Bourton, like its Italian namesake, has struggled with over-tourism in recent years and residents say they are frustrated by its impact.
These problems led to the creation of Bourton Residents’ Voice last year as a group dedicated to finding solutions.
Now the findings of a survey conducted by more than 200 residents reveal abundant and deep evidence that tourism has a destructive effect on the city and its community.
The report, based on responses from six per cent of the city’s adults, provides one of the most comprehensive snapshots of the experience ever produced in Bourton.
The survey shows that 94.6 percent of the population believe that there are too many tourists while 90.8 percent report a negative impact on the quality of life.
Traffic and parking are not properly managed in the eyes of 92.6 percent of those who took part in the survey. And 82 percent believe that the city no longer has a sense of community.
Almost half of the respondents, 49.5 percent, said they do not feel as connected to other citizens as they did a few years ago.
Bourton Residents’ Voice said the survey sends a clear and consistent message to the whole community.
And the data shows that Bourton is no longer functioning as a balanced city during peak times they say and that tourism levels are “unsustainable”.
Residents report a loss of public space, reduced safety, and a growing sense that the city is no longer designed for those who live there.
The team believes the study provides a clear call for action, and the study “replaces anecdote with evidence” and shows that these concerns are inevitable.
The report includes strong support for measures such as improved traffic and parking management, greater control over coach access, public space protection and enhanced enforcement and supervision.
The club is not against tourism and says Bourton has always been welcoming. But they see the report as a call for balance and research makes it clear that the current situation is unsustainable.
A spokesman for Bourton Residents’ Voice said: “This survey shows that what many residents have been dealing with for years is real, widespread and getting worse.
“Bourton is not just a place to go – it’s a community, and right now, that community is being excluded.
“This is not about stopping tourism, but about restoring stability and ensuring that the city remains a place where people can live, not just visit.”
Public health, community and fire cabinet member Paul Hodgkinson (LD, Bourton-on-the-Water and Northleach) said Gloucestershire County Council was working to find some solutions as soon as possible.
“The results of this survey highlight the depth of sentiment in the town about the number of visitors to Bourton.
“The Cotswolds already attract tourists, while that helps the local economy, it creates problems for the people who live here.
“The District Council is leading a new initiative to find solutions as soon as possible – in April there will be a meeting of all stakeholders to look at the whole city and its parking and traffic problems.
“I want to see real delivery after that to help people deal with the impact of tourism on their daily lives.”
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