A temporary solution to address the lack of coach parking facilities in Bourton-on-the-Water, dubbed the “Venice of the Cotswolds,” has hit a roadblock. The installation of street signs was thwarted by the presence of underground electricity and telephone lines, rendering the parking restrictions unenforceable.
Gloucestershire Highways' plan to implement a trial scheme ahead of Easter, aimed at resolving the coach parking chaos, has been hindered. Since the closure of a privately-owned parking site at the end of 2023, coaches have been without a designated parking area. This has led to concerns as coaches are frequently seen unloading and picking up passengers in various parts of Bourton, posing potential safety risks.
Under the provisional plan from Gloucestershire County Council, coaches were supposed to have a dedicated area for picking up and dropping off passengers in an on-street parking bay on Meadow Way, near the junction with Station Road. Following this, visitors would travel into the village via The Avenue and continue to the High Street. After a maximum 10-minute drop-off period, coaches would then depart Meadow Way, turn onto Station Road, and proceed to the industrial estate where parking would be available at Pulhams Coaches.
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The intended operating hours for this scheme were set between 9 am and 4 pm daily, with the parking bays reverting to general car parking outside of these times. Additionally, Pulhams Coaches would oversee a booking system for coach parking on their premises. However, this temporary arrangement, enabled by a six-month experimental traffic regulation order, has faced criticism from residents, with concerns raised about potential risks near a nearby care home.
The installation of parking restriction signs encountered complications as highways workers discovered the presence of telephone, street lighting, and electrical cables under the footway in the specific area where the sign was required. The utilities' layout along the pavement obstructed the installation process and rendered the restrictions unenforceable. Consequently, vehicles were observed parked in the designated coach bay over the weekend due to the absence of the necessary street sign.
Although Gloucestershire Highways had conducted routine checks for utilities before commencing the works and identified their presence, the interference with the installation was unexpected. While the cables were shallow and encased in concrete, preventing standard installation procedures, officials are contemplating alternative approaches to overcome this obstacle.
Gloucestershire County Council has been urged to address these challenges, and there are calls for a public meeting to involve villagers in the decision-making process.