VISITORS to a popular local beauty spot are being urged to treat it with more respect.
The location, known informally as ‘Saltford Beach’, is on farmland by the River Avon.
It can be accessed from the railway path, just beyond the bridge that crosses the river south of the Bird in Hand pub, and often attracts visitors including groups of young people during fine weather.
But after a recent visit, one Saltford resident told the Voice that it had been left “looking like Glastonbury” because of the rubbish scattered around the field and overflowing from bins.
Fred Abernethy, who has lived in the village for 50 years, came across the scene when walking his dog by the river – although he usually avoids the area in summer in case his pet is injured by broken glass or other sharp debris.
He said: “When they’ve had their picnics or barbecues, the places looks so dreadful. And it is a dreadful shame that people can get away with leaving it the way it is.”
As a great-grandfather, he says: “I love young people, but I hate the way these people abuse it.”
When the Voice visited the field, it was strewn with rubbish such as sandwich and fast-food wrappers, empty plastic and glass bottles that contained soft drinks or alcohol, and the remains of disposable barbecues. A few of these items lay in the water near the riverbank.
Two rubbish bins near a gate allowing entry to the field were overflowing, and some rubbish had been collected in shopping bags and left nearby. But another bin further along the field was only half full.
Towels, swimming trunks and other items of clothing had been left on the ground. The grass was scorched in patches where small fires had been burned. The scorched remains of schoolwork was scattered on the grass.
Hugh Padfield, who owns the land, told the Voice that he provides bins in the field to try to keep it free of litter.
He said: “We try to empty the bins weekly but when the weather is hot, large numbers of people are attracted to the area, the bins fill quickly, and some people leave the litter on the ground.”
Mr Padfield said he was grateful to members of the public who take their litter home and alert him when the bins are full.
“We want people to enjoy the countryside but also to respect it and respect those who live nearby. We have put up signs asking people to do this. Many members of the public do this but sadly a minority of people who visit the river do not respect the countryside and are very noisy.”
There was previously a sign in the field stating that family-friendly picnics would be allowed on the private land as long as visitors complied with certain conditions.
These included taking all litter home, keeping all dogs on a lead, and not using fires, barbecues or alcohol. But the sign was torn down and thrown into the river.
Mr Padfield said: “We are trying to balance the needs of farming with the needs of the public.
“The river bank and fields next to it have multiple public footpaths so we can’t prevent access. We think people should be able to enjoy the fields and river without being a nuisance, just as people enjoy a beach.”
Saltford Parish Council told the Voice it was aware of the problem but said it could take no action, as the field is on private land. Also – being on the far side of the river to the village – the site is not within Saltford itself.
It said: “Saltford Parish Council (SPC) has discussed this issue, as litter concerns by the river and green spaces in general are raised by residents.
“When SPC last discussed this, its view was that any residents with litter concerns relating to this specific location should address these directly to the landowner, and/or Kelston Parish Council, and/or B&NES Council’s ward councillors for Newbridge.”
