Parking war erupts in seaside town after landowner installs concrete bollards

A frustrated landowner has erected massive concrete bollards in front of a car park on his land – trapping travellers who had moved in.

Malcom Thorpe, owner of Bembridge Harbour Authority, says he bought the land in Bembridge, Isle of Wight, in 2011. But for the last two years, the plot of land has been used by travellers as their home.

Malcolm has had enough, claiming those on the land were ‘excreting’ and putting ‘all their litter’ on the roadside – so he erected four foot high concrete bollards, trapping them in.

He told the group they must pay him before he removes the bollards due to how they ‘mistreated’ his land – with some saying he’s asking for nearly £500.

A traveller in the group, Dale Coulson, said he won’t leave as he ‘keeps the area tidy’ and claims he parked on the village green, not Malcolm’s land.

But the group have been given an ultimatum: if they all leave on the same day, Malcolm will move the bollards for free.

Malcolm told the Telegraph: ‘If they came as a group and said they were all wanting to leave, I would do it free of charge.

‘But if they wanted to leave individually, they would have to pay for a crane to come and move the bollards away, it’s the only way they’re going to move them now.’

Dale said: ‘We want freedom to be able to go and come back… we’ll be a thorn in his side until he moves on.’

The row has caused chaos in the small seaside town, which only has two other car parks, each of them over a mile away.

The concrete bollards have infuriated locals as well, with one woman calling them ‘extremely dangerous’.

Lynn, 67, often parked on the land to watch birds. She said: ‘For years, you could actually drive into the car park and now you can’t get anywhere. 

‘It’s very inconsiderate, especially at this time of the year. We want to make our holiday-goers feel welcome.’

Hampshire and the Isle of Wight Constabulary have said the issue is a civil matter, and the council said since the issue is on private land, it has no jurisdiction.

Malcolm is standing firm, adding: ‘I think we will be able to encourage them one way or another. I’m sure it will be dealt with.’

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