LARGE lorries bringing the rides to Bridgwater’s historic fair are facing a parking headache after their usual field was sold for development.

Sedgemoor District Council has suggested they park in Northgate car park, but councillors have hit back saying this is ridiculous as it would cause traffic gridlock on an already-busy road.

The large lorries which bring fairground attractions of various sizes usually park in a field adjoining St Matthew’s Field, where the fair this year will be held on September 24 to 27.

However, this field has been sold to developers to make way for 200 new homes which are due to be built at Durleigh.

Cllr Brian Smedley said he could foresee a lot of problems if Northgate car park was used by the fleet of fair vehicles.

He added: “The Splash site is not suitable for large transporters, it will be a nuisance to residents in Blacklands and Mount street who will be in close proximity, the access is not appropriate for such sizeable transports and the road is a regular traffic jam already.”

He was supported by John Allen, of the Showman’s Guild, the fair organisation, who said he also didn’t think the offer was suitable and would seek elsewhere adding that “security would also be an issue”.

Sedgemoor’s legal officer Nigel Osborne holds annual meetings to review arrangements for the fair with councillors to try and smooth out underlying issues with parking and disruption in advance.

At this meeting held last week, Cllr Smedley also raised concerns at the new West Street/Broadway junction where he believed it would now be even more difficult than usual to get the larger vehicles into West Street.

There were also concerns about the disruption to residents along West Street.

Nigel Osborne said that a successful controlled barrier system had worked well last year and would be continued again this year thanks to the extra hours put in by West Street caretaker Chris Osborne.

A Sedgemoor District Council spokesman said the council was working hard to try and solve fair issues but would leave the lorries’ parking issue up to the Showman’s Guild to resolve.