A picturesque Cotswolds village visited by hundreds of thousands each year has been left in a 'disgraceful state' due to litter from tourists, local officials have warned. Bourton-on-the-Water, known as the 'Venice of the Cotswolds' for its River Windrush scenery, has seen a surge in visitors this year, leading to overflowing bins and discarded takeaway boxes.
District councillor Jon Wareing urged authorities to recognise the impact of 'overtourism', noting that the village, home to only a few thousand residents, attracts an estimated 300,000 tourists annually. 'It's a disgrace that guests in our community leave it in this state,' he told the Local Democracy Reporting Service.
Bourton-on-the-Water Parish Council released a statement acknowledging the pressure from increased visitor numbers. 'We recognise that the increased visitor numbers this year have placed significant pressure not only on the village centre but also on surrounding residential and commercial areas,' the statement read. While tourism brings economic benefits, the council admitted its limited statutory powers to control visitor numbers or close the village.
A key issue has been litter from takeaway outlets and picnickers. The parish council met with Cotswold District Council in August to highlight the problem, after waste collection was reduced from three times daily to two due to staffing issues. Following the meeting, weekend collections are to return to three per day, and discussions with local businesses have begun to encourage waste reduction.
The parish council urged residents and businesses to report problems directly to the appropriate authorities, adding: 'Together, we can work towards sustainable solutions that preserve the charm and liveability of Bourton-on-the-Water for all.'
