Police blast tourists 'from across UK' grinding Devon coast roads to 'gridlock' in lockdown heatwave

Cars lined the seafront in Woolacombe, north Devon
@Sgt_BJ_DCPolice
Ewan Somerville20 May 2020

Police have hit out at tourists grinding the South West coast to “gridlock” as Brits from “all over the country” descended on beaches on the hottest day of the year.

Long tailbacks were reported on roads in north Devon from Wednesday morning.

Across Devon and Cornwall police said cars were lining beauty spots, while sun worshippers crammed beaches and parks across the country.

The popular Devon beach Saunton Sands was forced to close its car park and turn visitors away after it was described as looking “like August”.

Crowds flocked to Bournemouth beach and beauty spots across the country
PA

Some visitors told the BBC they had travelled 80 miles to the counties to enjoy the lockdown heatwave as the mercury soared to highs of 28C degrees.

Officers in north Devon tweeted: “Roads towards the North Devon coast are now gridlocked. There are no amenities open or toilets.

"We have vehicles from all over the country identified, please do not travel here. We will still be here when this is over so come back when it’s safe to do so.”

In Barnstaple, north Devon, police said “traffic wardens are running out of tickets” and threatened to seize a trail of abandoned cars left by visitors.

In nearby Woolacombe, where jammed roads were pictured, police reportedly handed out 70 fines to cars “mounting the pavements” and said “every double yellow line” was covered.

A spokesperson for Woolacombe Tourist Information said: “We had hoped that people would be considerate to the local coastal communities so are very disappointed by the influx.”

Local Charmain Lovett tweeted: "Thank you @BorisJohnson and @GOVUK for throwing North Devon under a bus. This was 9.30am at Saunton (now closed). We have 8 ICU beds in North Devon and everyone is flocking here for their holiday.”

Tourism bosses in Devon and Cornwall have told visitors to “stay away” until the lockdown is over as the region fights to maintain its current low level of infections.

Bournemouth beach was among those flooded with visitors on Wednesday
PA

Visit Devon has warned the county “lacked the infrastructure and NHS facilities” to cope with a surge in cases.

Honeypots across the country were rammed on Wednesday as thousands flocked outdoors after Boris Johnson relaxed rules on travelling for leisure.

People in England are now allowed to travel unlimited distances and can meet one person from outside their household in parks as long as they keep six feet apart.

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Bournemouth beach, in Dorset, and the Southend seafront, in Essex, were also packed sparking a furious backlash as crowds were accused of failing to socially distance

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