Bourton-on-the-Water: Village left without coach parking

Around 250,000 tourists travel to Bourton-on-the-Water by coach every year

Concerns have been raised over congestion and loss of revenue as a popular Cotswolds village is left without coach parking.

Around 250,000 tourists travel by coach to Bourton-on-the-Water in Gloucestershire every year.

The privately owned Hacklings car park on Station Road will no longer allow coach parking from 31 December.

Local firms have voiced concerns over the loss of footfall and the economic impact it could have on the village.

Council leaders have previously suggested converting on-street parking on Station Road into drop-off and pick-up points for coaches.

But the proposal was described as "madness" by residents for the effect it will have on traffic in the village.

Residents are concerned that converting on street parking on Station Road would make congestion worse

Hacklings, which owns the Bourton Vale car park, said the decision was made to allow more room for car parking spots, which brought in more money.

"Ultimately it's stopping any passenger-carrying vehicles, whether it's a mini bus or a coach, from getting anywhere near the village centre," said Julian Philips, director of Philips International Travel.

"Vehicles of our size are no longer welcome and by extension, their passengers as well," he added.

Andrew Lund-Yates, owner of the model village and the Old New Inn in Bourton-on-the-Water, said businesses were "very worried" about the loss of potential customers.

"We have got a really buoyant coach visitor attraction here, but without those numbers, we will see revenue fall," he said.

"That will affect our ability to employ people, to reinvest in the business. And that goes across all the businesses within Bourton-on-the-Water. So we're all suffering," Mr Lund-Yates continued.

Mr Lund-Yates believes changes to the layout of Rissington Road car park could provide a "win-win for everybody"

"We've been asking Cotswold District Council to reconsider their configuration of the Rissington Road car park which they own here in the village.

"We feel that coaches could be accommodated in that area with small changes to the layout of the car park... we've shown that they could actually earn more money from that car park as it stands, with some increases in charges for coaches," he added.

'No solution'

A spokesperson from Cotswold District Council said it was working closely with a range of local stakeholders to provide solutions in the village.

They added that a number of options have been explored over the past year, but none were deemed viable due to "unaffordable costs" and the "loss of vital or disabled parking spaces".

"Unfortunately no solution has been found despite our best efforts, but no stone has been left unturned and we will continue to work with the county council, police, local businesses and the parish council to help manage coach visits to the village," the spokesperson added.