[I visited Ely one] Saturday, when I bought a coach group to the city for an extended lunch stop during our homeward journey. Although I haven’t used Ely for overnight stays in recent years, it is often visited as part of a tour or a specific visit.
The purpose of this letter is to comment on the loss of the city coach park.
I’m sure that many coach companies appreciated and used the allocated coach bays, especially being so conveniently situated for guests to walk through to enjoy the city’s facilities.
Importantly, this also allowed the driver to take an official rest break (ruled by the vehicles’ tachograph) not only to rest, but to obtain refreshments and toilet facilities.
Sadly, coaches now have to find an alternative place to park which is usually out of town. However, the cathedral set down and pick up point is to be commended.
On leaving Ely on this Saturday and heading south to our base at Yateley, Hampshire, I was shocked to see at least nine coaches parked at a layby and on adjacent verges out of town, which meant that they had no facilities and worryingly, less rest time.
It seems once again that Ely, not being the only city guilty of this situation, wants its visitors but has little or no regard for the people that bring them to the city.
Geoff Allen
Travallen Travel and Events
