The Clerk has received numerous communications over the last two weekends (telephone calls and emails including photos) from Councillors and Residents in North Weald Village.

This item has therefore been placed on the Agenda for the Annual Meeting of the Parish Council on Monday 11th May to be held at 7.30pm in the Parish Hall at Thornwood Common.  We will also investigate how we can assist residents further and report back to Councillors at this meeting.

Agenda Item – North Weald Airfield Market Traffic

Residents are continuing to experience  increasingly significant disruption due to the volume of vehicles parking on local residential roads during market days at the airfield. The current situation is leaving many households unable to access their own properties, with cars frequently blocking driveways, narrowing roads, and creating unsafe conditions for both residents and pedestrians.  There is parking on grass verges and pavements ruining these areas and making it unsafe for people to walk or for residents with prams or mobility aids to walk safely.

While we understand the market attracts high visitor numbers the overflow parking into surrounding neighbourhoods is no longer manageable. Local roads were not designed to accommodate this level of traffic, and the lack of effective parking controls or stewarding is causing avoidable stress, delays, and safety concerns.

The Parish Council has been involved in meetings with the District Council and the Market Operator, Saunders Market for over two years, and have been asking them to solve this ongoing problem. We have been  asking for action to address this issue. Potential measures have included:

  • Designated on‑site parking with clear signage directing visitors away from residential streets
  • Temporary traffic management or stewarding on market days
  • Parking restrictions or enforcement on affected roads
  • Engagement with residents to develop a long‑term solution
  • Additional Access and Exit Gates to the Airfield to be opened

Residents should not be prevented from entering or leaving their own homes due to an event taking place nearby. Members of the Parish Council have been asking the District Council and Market Operator to work with them and for the good of the  community to implement practical and effective measures as soon as possible, however despite many meetings over the last two years little or none of the above suggestions have moved forward. This situation cannot continue, and residents ask Councillors what action they can take to move forward in this matter.  The Clerk will give Councillors a verbal report of a suggested way forward.

Susan De Luca

Clerk to North Weald Bassett Parish Council