Controversy over parking in coastal town as owner puts up concrete barriers.

A local landowner has recently made headlines by taking matters into his own hands and installing large concrete bollards at the exit of his property. Malcom Thorpe, owner of Bembridge Harbour Authority, has owned the land in Bembridge, Isle of Wight since 2011. However, for the last two years, the land has been occupied by a group of travellers who have made it their home.

Frustrated with the situation, Malcolm decided to take action. He claims that the travellers have been causing issues, including leaving behind waste and litter on the roadside. In response, he erected four-foot-tall bollards, effectively trapping the travellers on the land.

Malcolm has given the group an ultimatum - if they all leave on the same day, he will remove the bollards free of charge. However, if they leave separately, they will have to pay for a crane to move the bollards. One traveller, Dale Coulson, has refused to leave, stating that he keeps the area clean and that he was actually parked on the nearby village green, not on Malcolm's land.

The situation has caused chaos in the small seaside town, as it only has two other car parks, both of which are over a mile away. This has also angered locals, with one woman calling the bollards "extremely dangerous." Lynn, a regular visitor to the area, expressed her frustration, saying that the bollards have made it difficult for holiday-goers to access the area.

The issue has sparked a debate between the local authorities, with the police stating that it is a civil matter and the council claiming they have no jurisdiction since it is on private land. However, Malcolm remains firm in his decision, stating that he is confident the issue will be resolved.

Despite the tension, there is still hope for a peaceful resolution. If the travellers come together and agree to leave on the same day, Malcolm has promised to remove the bollards without charge. But until then, the situation remains at a standstill, with both sides refusing to back down.

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