Children 'dodge cars' as car park remains closed

The car park was built last summer

Parents who drop their children off at a football club say it is "frustrating" they are unable to use a car park a year after it was built.

Gotherington Jaguars are being forced to "dodge cars" when their parents drop them off in Bishops Cleeve, a coach claimed.

To access the car park, parents would have to drive over a verge belonging to Gloucestershire County Council (GCC), which asked Bishops Cleeve Parish Council to complete a surface specification to ensure heavy goods vehicles could access the car park.

The specification has now been completed, and the car park is due to open in late October, the parish council said.

Gotherington Jaguars play on an astroturf pitch every Saturday, next to the new car park.

Club officials and families of the 160 players were using it for a time but the access gate was then closed.

Parents are parking along Kayte Lane and crossing the road to take their children to football.

Katrin Perkins, who takes her daughter to the club, said: "It's very frustrating that we've got this lovely car park with a lot of spaces that we can't use. It doesn't feel very safe on the road."

The parish council said it is "hopeful" the car park will open in time for winter training sessions later this year

GCC has been accused of "ridiculous" bureaucracy by Lauren, a coach at Gotherington Jaguars.

"We've got girls as young as four coming to play football, it's worse dodging cars than the footballs," she said.

"It's for the safety of the people who've paid the council tax to use it."

While there is a car park on Cheltenham Road, it is 500 metres from The Astro Cage and, according to Wayne Morgan, a coach, is often full, "making access impractical and putting pressure on local roads".

The parish council said it is working to get the car park open "as soon as possible".

"We are hopeful that the car park will be open for the winter training sessions, commencing at the end of October," a spokesperson said.

"It is important to remember there is a car park at the other end of the Sports Field."

GCC has been contacted for comment.