The owner of the privately-run car and coach park at Bourton-on-the-Water has agreed to extend his closure deadline until the end of January 2016.
As reported at length in CBW1212, John Hackling of Bourton Vale Parking (BVP) said he had been left with “no alternative” but to close the facility to coaches after November 30 following complaints from residents about drivers leaving their engines running and the threat of prosecution from Cotswold District Council (CDC) under the Environment Act of 1990 – a matter that the local authority confirmed to be the case.
Giving an update to CBW last week, CDC said it is currently engaged in discussions with BVP and other interested parties – including the local Parish Council, the Visitor Information Centre and the Chamber of Commerce – to review the future provision of coach parking in the village.
Cllr Chris Hancock, CDC’s Cabinet Member for Enterprise and Partnerships, is hopeful that a workable permanent solution will be found to ensure the continuation of coach parking in the village: “We have had some very positive discussions with the Station Road coach park owner and other key stakeholders. We are working to find an acceptable solution which will ensure the continuous provision of coach parking in Bourton. We know that local traders benefit very much from coach visits and we are treating this issue as a high priority.
“It is clear that any option we implement cannot be put in place by November 30, and for this reason the owner has kindly agreed to extend his closure deadline until the end of January 2016. This means that the Station Road coach park will welcome coaches during the festive season, including the annual Christmas Fayre/lights switch-on event on December 4.”
As negotiations between the interested parties continue, the Council is hoping to deliver a permanent solution as soon as practicable.
