Families fume as Gavin and Stacey filming brings chaos and gridlock to their street and ‘keeps them up all night’
FUMING families say Gavin and Stacey filming on their street is causing chaos and gridlock and keeping them awake at night.
Filming for the long-awaited return of the hit sitcom is attracting massive crowds and the cast and BBC television crews are working through the night on the Christmas Special.
Residents of Trinity Street are complaining about being kept up at night by bright lights and say hoards of spectators trying to catch a glimpse of the comedy stars are making them miserable.
Laura Davies, 40, said: "They are filming all through the night too using bright spotlights that are keeping me up.
"I took a picture out of my window at 3 am and you can see all the crew and Ruth Jones just milling about.”
Lynnmarie Mayberry, another Trinity Street resident, said: “The crew have been disrespectful to us locals.
"Security staff were banging on everyone's front doors telling them to move their cars.
"Even someone with a disability parking space who needs it.
"This was about two or more hours before the road was due to be cornered off.”
FILMING HAVOC
Fans of the show, who are flocking to Barry in the hope of spotting stars from the sitcom are apparently equally disruptive.
Ms Mayberry said: "I feel there could be more done to make residents feel a little bit calmer and less disrupted about the filming.
"They should also have measures in place to stop fans from using local resident's walls as stepping stones to try and view the action.
"People live in those homes that they're invading the garden on.
"Particularly vulnerable people at that and it should be the staff's priority to make sure they feel safe."
Neighbour Neil Evans commented: "Its mad people are still outside our door at 3 am.
"One family sat on the pavement with a takeaway and made an evening of it."
Ms Davies added: "Every single person in this street is unhappy."
The council has worked with the production company to ensure any disruption is kept to a minimum. While it is disappointing to hear some fans have behaved irresponsibly this has certainly not been typical
A spokesperson for the Vale of Glamorgan Council
A spokesperson for the Vale of Glamorgan Council said: “We are delighted to have Gavin and Stacey back in Barry and know that the vast majority of local residents feel the same.
“The number of fans that have come out to catch a glimpse of the filming is a testament not just to the popularity of Gavin and Stacey but also to how iconic locations such as Barry Island now are.
“The council has worked with the production company to ensure any disruption is kept to a minimum.
"While it is disappointing to hear some fans have behaved irresponsibly this has certainly not been typical.
“Since the return of Gavin and Stacey was announced our tourism team have been inundated with requests for information on the locations featured in the programme and we are expecting a busier summer than ever at Barry Island as a result.
“This means more money being spent in the town and another step towards the resort being recognised as one of the UK’s best destinations.”
Familiar faces from the hit BBC series have been filming on Trinity Street since July 12 and anticipate being there for days more.
James Corden, who created the sitcom alongside Ruth Jones, made the announcement that they had written a Christmas Special on Twitter.
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He said: "Ruth Jones and I have been keeping this secret for a while... We’re excited to share it with you. See you on Christmas Day @BBCOne #GavinandStacey."
Actress Joanna Page, who plays Stacey, tweeted at the time: 'It’s happening!!! I’m so excited! Can’t wait to get on the slots down Barry again!! #gavinandstacey #christmasspecial #barryisland.'
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