Local councillors and businesses continue to seek alternative facilities at Bourton-on-the-Water following closure of the village’s only dedicated coach parking area on 31 December 2023.
Parking on land at an industrial estate on the outskirts of Bourton can be secured but, crucially, a suitable drop-off and pick-up point in the centre of the village would also be needed. Two potential sites for this are being investigated.
However, the previously mooted option at The Cotswold School appear to have been ruled out due to safety reasons after Gloucestershire County Council councillor Paul Hodgkinson met with the school.
Bourton-on-the-Water Parish Council, while admitting it has limited control over the matter, says: “We are continuing to discuss possible solutions with all parties to find a solution that meets the needs and satisfaction of the community as a whole, where the health and safety of residents and visitors is paramount.”
Cotswold District Council (CDC) has faced allegations over lack of preparation for the long-foreseen closure of the facility at the privately owned Bourton Vale parking area. In an interview with BBC Radio Gloucestershire last month, CDC Leader Joe Harris added fuel to the controversy by saying that, due to the village being “over-touristed”, “we probably need to have a review about whether we actually want coaches coming to Bourton-on-the-Water”.
In the meantime, Confederation of Passenger Transport Coaching Manager Phil Smith has been in discussions with a view to creating more coach parking at other Cotswolds tourist sites such as Moreton-in-Marsh and Broadway, to provide alternatives for operators in the area.
