Farmer rents out field for parking after Tinto Hill is 'swamped' with cars

Up to 40 vehicles have been pictured lining a country road near Tinto Hill.

A farmer has decided to rent out one of his fields as a car park for visitors to a popular beauty spot after parked vehicles have been causing traffic chaos along one of Scotland’s country roads.

The car park at Tinto Hill has been rammed since school holidays have started and as lockdown restrictions ease, according to Ted Fox, who owns a far nearby.

Pictures have been shared on social media showing vehicles spilling out of the designated parking area near the hill and lining the main road.

Vehicles have been pictured lining the main road near Tinto Hill for weeks as the beauty spot draws hundreds of visitors each day

"It’s traffic chaos, the area is swamped with cars,” the 55-year-old said.

"Drivers have parked their cars all along the road making it hard for any sort of agricultural vehicle to get by, and emergency services have been compromised in the last few weeks due to this inconsiderate parking.

“So as a family we are putting a track in to allow extra parking on our field to help put an end to this problem.”

Ted will charge £10 per car parked in his field, which will only be open on busy days when spaces at the car park are filled up.

He said all vehicles parked in his field will be at the owner’s risk.

"The main thing is just trying to get the cars off of the road,” Ted added.

"I have better things to do with my time but if it means helping local residents and farmers in the area then we will do it, and have someone manning the field.

"I have been living in this area for about six years now and I have never seen it this busy for such a prolonged period of time.

"Hopefully it is just particularly busy while the weather is nice and it will soon calm down and the field will just be needed temporarily.”

Neola Mitchell, who also owns fields in the area, said her family need the roads to be clear for livestock and transporting hay.

She said: “For those walking up Tinto please be aware of where you are parking for the next couple weeks because we need to get in and out to make hay, bring sheep home and dose cattle.

"This involves machinery such as lorries, tractors and trailers which need space to get into fields and up round to the pens.”

Officers have been alerted to the issues caused by inconsiderate parking and have warned visitors to the hill to expect a heavier police presence in the area.

A police spokesman said: “Access roads near to Tinto Hill, Thankerton, have to be kept clear for farmers, local residents and emergency vehicles.

"Please think before parking in an inconsiderate manner.

"Discussions are ongoing between Police Scotland and partner agencies about the issues and you can expect to see an increased police presence to ensure safety and access is maintained.”

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