Jeremy Clarkson’s New Pub Opening Raises Traffic Concerns

There are concerns that the opening of Jeremy Clarkson’s new pub will exacerbate traffic issues following the popularity of his Diddly Squat farm shop.

The pub, located in Asthall, near Burford in Oxfordshire, will reopen to the public at midday on Friday under the new name, The Farmer’s Dog. The former Top Gear presenter revealed earlier this year that he paid “less than £1 million” for the pub, previously known as The Windmill.

To accommodate the expected influx of visitors, a large marquee has been erected on the five-acre site.

Over the years, Clarkson has faced resistance from locals in West Oxfordshire regarding expansions to his Diddly Squat farm project, as featured in his hit Amazon series, Clarkson’s Farm. Some residents are once again voicing concerns, fearing traffic problems due to the pub’s location next to the busy A40 road.

“I’m delighted he’s breathing some new life into that pub,” one local posted on Facebook. “I do worry about traffic though. I popped by the farm shop at the weekend. It was utter chaos. The massive new car park was rammed as well as a new overflow one they have made in a field across the road. We didn’t stop as the marshals in hi-viz told us the queue was over two hours. I’ve been before on a busy day, but this was insane.”

Another local commented, “Might need three lanes on the A40 for the queuing cars and parked cars.”

County and district councillor Liam Walker expressed his full support for the new venture, highlighting its potential benefits for the local economy and tourism in West Oxfordshire. “There is no ‘parking row’ here,” he said. “I am merely doing what local residents would expect and working on getting mitigations in place to reduce traffic and parking issues, ensuring lessons have been learnt from the farm shop. Jeremy has my full support with his next venture, and I want the pub to be a success.”

Walker has previously met with the local highway team to discuss the opening of the new pub. Oxfordshire County Council confirmed it has worked “closely and pro-actively” with Clarkson’s team ahead of the opening. A council spokesman stated, “Several measures have been taken to reduce the likelihood of traffic and parking related problems and to support the safe and successful opening of the site.”

The council has made footway improvements to better connect the existing adjacent bus stops on the B4047 with the pub to provide a safer and more sustainable option for visitors. Additional measures have been taken to discourage parking on highway verges in the area.

The council is advising motorists to use designated off-highway car parks and not to park on nearby roads or verges. “Parking will be monitored, and if necessary, controls may be imposed in the future,” the spokesman added.

Additionally, the layby located on the A40 opposite the pub will be temporarily closed as a precautionary safety measure to prevent its use by visitors who would then have to cross the busy A40 on foot. There is also consideration being given to reducing the speed limit from 60mph to 40mph to improve safety on approaches to the A40 roundabout, including that of the B4047.

Clarkson has previously encountered issues over plans to allow more visitor access to his farm and its attached shop. The popularity of his Amazon show documenting the workings of his Diddly Squat farm – a 1,000-acre operation in the Cotswolds – has resulted in increased interest from tourists, with queues at the shop being a common occurrence.

He had proposed extending the car park on his Oxfordshire farm to accommodate 70 vehicles, but these plans were initially opposed by West Oxfordshire District Council. Clarkson also faced legal challenges regarding a restaurant on his farm, which the council shut down after it was allegedly opened without planning permission.

Clarkson has revealed that he plans to sell his own Hawkstone lager and produce reared on his Diddly Squat Farm at the pub.

Source: PA Archive, PA Wire