Public consulted over controversial parking zone

Safety concerns have been raised over parking bays, timings, and signage

Residents are being invited to drop-in sessions to discuss a controversial parking scheme and possible changes to it.

The Zone 15 scheme, which covers the All Saints area in Cheltenham, has been branded "a bit of a nightmare" by one campaigner.

Findings from on-site surveys and feedback sessions highlighted signage, visitor time limits, and safety concerns as key issues parking in the area.

Gloucestershire County Council says it wants to simplify the existing zone, improve operating hours and make signage and accessibility better.

Zone 15 came into operation in December to discourage commuters from parking in residential areas.

In July, the county council’s independent consultant, Project Centre, held two information gathering sessions to collect feedback as part of a review.

Feedback received at these events from 230 residents highlighted the following as key parking issues:

• Parking control timings (days and times of operation)

• Visitor parking limits and prices

• Signage

• Safety concerns about parking bays

• Parking displacement

'Review falls short'

Campaigner Ian Weaving said the introduction of Zone 15 has been "a bit of a nightmare".

"We never had any parking issues at all and then we were thrown into this huge zone that has now caused a problem for having visitors," he said.

One of the suggested changes is splitting Zone 15 into two zones, Zone 15 and Zone 16.

"I think a lot of people do agree that the inner area of Zone 15 is needed for some roads closer to town," added Mr Weaving.

"I do think that the review falls short of residents' expectations, I mean there is no option to not have a Zone 16, which I feel, really, was quite an important question that they should have put in there from the start."

Residents asked for clarity earlier this year after incorrect signs, which should have read "cannot return to the same bay" were displayed