Joint news release by Glastonbury Multi Agency Group and the National Trust:

Work on a scheme to improve road safety near the north entrance to Glastonbury Tor is due to start next week.

The Glastonbury Multi Agency Group (MAG) has worked with the National Trust, local farmers, and residents to develop a plan for Stone Down Lane to prevent vehicles from parking unsafely on the roadside and create new disabled parking bays for blue badge holders.

The MAG includes representatives from the County, District and Town Councils, and Avon and Somerset Police.

The new infrastructure comprises a bund of earth and boulders placed along a section of the road and work is due to start on Monday 28 February for around three weeks. During this time there will be no access along Stone Down Lane for vehicles or pedestrians – a diversion will be in place. The north entrance to the Tor will be inaccessible during this period.

Councillor John Woodman, Somerset County Council's Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport said: "Unauthorised parking on Stone Down Lane causes huge issues for local farmers and residents, and on some occasions such as the winter and summer solstices, there have been vehicles parked along the full length this road, which as well as causing disruption and noise for local people, means emergency vehicles can't get through.

"There is plenty of parking in town and well-marked routes to the Tor for walkers – there's also a regular bus service in the tourist season."

James Mcwilliam, Visitor Operations and Experience Manager for the National Trust commented: "We fully support the changes being made at Stone Down Lane. We want Glastonbury Tor to be accessible and enjoyed by everyone, however we are also aware that it is a sensitive, living landscape which needs protecting. Encouraging visitors to take the designated routes and parking in the right places is a huge step to ensuring the Tor stays accessible for all for many years to come."

Have a question?

Please visit our dedicated webpage which hosts a FAQs sheet along with all the updates issued so far.

Glastonbury Unauthorised Encampments (somerset.gov.uk)

If you have any further questions regarding Glastonbury unauthorised encampments or the MAG, please contact [email protected] or phone 0300 123 2224.

Submitted by Glastonbury MAG