Coach parking trial begins in busy village
BBCA controversial trial to stop tourist coaches parking in inappropriate areas in a popular village is beginning this Easter.
Residents in Bourton-on-the-Water in the Cotswolds have been complaining that the area "has become "choked" by traffic since a private car park stopped accepting coaches in 2023.
Ahead of the trial start date, local business owners have said they hope the scheme will "give some respite to residents".
Some residents and coach drivers have spoken out against the trial parking arrangements but a spokesperson for Gloucestershire County Council said it will make changes as required to ensure the best possible results.
Residents, visitors and operators can share feedback with the village parish council, the spokesperson added.
The trial will see coaches dropping off and collecting tourists from Meadow Way, a 10-minute walk from the village centre, before parking at a nearby business park for the day.
Andrew Lund-Yates, owner of the Old New Inn and secretary of the Bourton Business Network, said getting coach parking right was "crucial".
He said the removal of designated parking had hit businesses and locals alike.
"It wasn't ideal for residents, it wasn't ideal for passengers and we did see a drop in the number of coaches coming into the village," Mr Lund-Yates said.
He said: "It's important that everybody should be encouraged to be out in this part of the world.
"It's a lovely place and we're fortunate enough to live here."
He said businesses hope the trial "gives some respite to residents, who saw a number of coaches dropping off and turning round inappropriately last year".
Alex Chutter, area director for Pulhams & Sons Coaches, which is based in the village, said he hoped the trial will be a "decent compromise" for all and prevent "confusion" among coach drivers who have been unable to park safely.
"I can guarantee that none of them set out in order to frustrate residents, but I understand how frustrations may have kind of developed over the summer period.
"Once we've got this plan in place, hopefully coach operators will know what's expected of them."
One of the concerns about the parking plans is that coaches might block emergency vehicles accessing a care home.
In February, the manager of Jubilee Lodge care home wrote to the parish council, warning that people might die as a result of the parking trial.
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