Parking review for 'Venice of the Cotswolds'

Business owners have welcomed a major review of parking and travel in a picturesque Cotswolds village.

The review will explore ways of helping residents and businesses in Bourton-on-the-Water cope with an influx of visitors.

The village, often described as "the Venice of the Cotswolds", attracts 300,000 visitors every year while only 4,000 people live there.

"We are coming into our busy season and traffic movements are increasing," said owner of the Old New Inn Andrew Lund-Yates. He said parking issues due to the number of visitors was "a perennial problem".

The Gloucestershire County Council review will look at parking arrangements, coach services and pedestrian movement in Bourton and explore options to improve safety, access and movement.

A public engagement exercise will launch in July giving residents, businesses and visitors the chance to share their views and help shape future plans.

Councillor Roger Whyborn, cabinet member for sustainable transport and road safety, said: "We know Bourton-on-the-Water faces complex challenges, with high visitor numbers alongside the needs of people who live and work there every day.

"This work is about listening carefully to those experiences so we can find practical, balanced ways to improve how people get around the village.

"I would encourage everyone to take part when the engagement launches."

Lund-Yates, who also runs Bourton Model Village, said the business community had put forward several proposals or suggestions as part of a solution, including pedestrianisation.

"That was something that was discussed as we were coming out of Covid," he said.

"I think at some point there has to be a practical look at... our options as we are not able to stop people coming."

There are also suggestions for areas that could be used for extra parking for coaches and cars.

"There are three or four landowners within the village confines who have expressed an interest in making land available if a solution can be found," he said.

Councillor Paul Hodgkinson, county councillor for Bourton-on-the-Water and Northleach, said: "I know how strongly people feel about parking and traffic in Bourton, particularly during busy periods.

"It's important that local people can share their views and help shape the right solutions for the village."

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