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Coach parking solution could 'result in death'

Carmelo Garcia
Local Democracy Reporting Service
LDRS A man crosses a small, low, Cotswold stone bridge over the shallow River Windrush on a sunny day. On either side of the river, tourists can be seen standing on the grassy banks, with a girl and a black dog playing in the water. There are trees hanging over the river.LDRS
Bourton-on-the-Water is a popular day-trip destination

A care home manager has said a temporary solution to coach parking shortages in a Cotswold town "could ultimately result in death".

Following the closure of a Bourton-on-the-Water coach parking site in 2023, a provisional plan has been drawn up to allow coaches to pick up and drop off passengers on Meadow Way.

But the manager of Jubilee Lodge care home wrote to the parish council, concerned that coaches might block emergency vehicles and people might die as a result.

The temporary solution split a parish council vote to support the proposal put forward by Gloucestershire County Council highways and county councillor Paul Hodgkinson - with five in favour, three against and one abstention.

Stephen Davies, leader of Gloucestershire County Council, said the long-term solution would "probably need more work".

'Noise pollution'

For six months, a traffic regulation order will allow coaches to leave Meadow Way after a 10-minute drop-off period, turn right onto Station Road, then right onto the Fosse Way before reaching the industrial estate.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service reports that parking would be available to Pulhams Coaches at the industrial estate between 09:00 and 16:00 every day.

Jubilee Lodge care home's manager said the "noise pollution" of coaches and their passengers would "not only be disruptive to our residents but also those visiting loved ones".

"The pathway is very narrow and many of our visitors require the use of wheelchairs and other mobility aids, I feel that space will be extremely limited for those trying to access our homes," they said in their communication to the parish council.

"My biggest concern is that, due to a high volume of traffic and with such a narrow road to and from Jubilee Lodge, the emergency services will not be able to get through, which could ultimately result in death."

LDRS A black and white road sign that reads "All coach traffic" with an image of a bus and an arrow pointing down the road, which is a residential road with Cotswold stone houses, one of which is covered in scaffolding. Two cars can be seen driving down the road.LDRS
The county council's highways department has invited feedback from Bourton-on-the-Water residents during the period

John Wareing and Len Wilkins, Bourton-on-the-Water's two Cotswold district councillors, voted against, citing the lack of "consideration" for Jubilee Lodge residents, visitors, and employees, and schoolchildren and parents who use the "already busy" pavement.

"Simply moving the pinch-point of unbearable visitor coach congestion to another unsuitable location in the village is not a solution," they said in a joint statement.

Davies, leader of the county council, said the plan was designed "to alleviate the current problem" while a "long-term solution" was created.

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