‘Glimmer of hope’ as coach ban threat recedes
Discussion about a potential coach ban in Bourton-on-the-Water in the Cotswolds has receded.
At a parish meeting, councillors voted in favour of introducing Traffic Restriction Orders (TROs) preventing access for tourist coaches along two key routes. Local businesses including nearby Pulhams’ Coaches had spoken out against the potential action. It followed the closure of Bourton-on-the-Water’s coach park in Station Road closing last year despite appeals to find an alternative.
During a more recent meeting involving Pulhams Coaches and another local coach operator, along with Parish, District and County councillors and Phil Smith, Coaching Manager at the CPT, it was heard that to impose an emergency TRO to ban coaches in Bourton-on-the-Water would cost in the region of £35,000. It rapidly emerged at the meeting that it was unlikely to be feasible not only because of the cost but the difficulties of enforcement by the police allowing coaches to drop off at some businesses but not others.
The meeting then moved on to discuss other solutions including the possible use of the Rissington Road car park which has previously been resisted by the Cotswold District Council and the use of the industrial estate combined with a pick-up and drop-off point for passengers. The meeting heard from coach operators that coach parties to the Cotswold village generate around £2.5 million into the parish economy.
“I believe this meeting has produced a glimmer of hope that all the parties will work constructively together to find that solution” – Member of Parliament for the Cotswolds, Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown MP
Member of Parliament for the Cotswolds, Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown MP, said: “After many months of discussion to try and find a solution I believe this meeting has produced a glimmer of hope that all the parties will work constructively together to find that solution.”
Since the meeting, a working group has been formed to explore the alternative proposals for coach arrangements, which included Andrew Pulham of Pulhams Coaches.
Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown MP has undertook to conduct a comprehensive survey of all 2,100 houses and businesses.