Latest news with #PaulHodgkinson
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Yahoo
'We can never park despite permits pricier than London'
Locals in a picturesque Cotswold town have called for action over "nightmare" parking – with permits costing double that of London's wealthiest boroughs. Residents of Tetbury's ancient narrow streets, who have no option to park outside their homes, pay more than £600 a year for a parking permit. But, despite paying this sum, they do not have allocated spaces and say they are often unable to find a place to park near their homes. Councillor Paul Hodgkinson from Cotswold District Council said opportunities to expand off-street parking in the town were "unfortunately limited". Everyone we spoke to holds a season ticket to park in Tetbury's West Street car park, which costs £640 a year. This compares to £257 a year for vehicles in the highest emission band in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, and £321 in Westminster. Susan Pillinger, who lives on a road in Tetbury with five cottages – and no space for cars – described parking as an "absolute nightmare". She said: "It's a constant worry because, if you go out, are you going to find anywhere to park when you come back?" David Pearson told BBC Radio Gloucestershire that he was well aware of the limited parking before moving to the area, but said "we didn't expect a 30% rise in the cost of a permit and also an increase in tourists". "Frankly in London you can get it for a third of the price and they have the same problems [with] narrow streets," he said. Ms Pillinger said she "wouldn't mind paying the money so much if we had an actual designated space". They have all called on the council to ensure that spaces in car parks near their homes are held for residents. The council's Mr Hodgkinson said half of the bays in West Street car park were allocated to season ticket holders. However, visitors are still able to use these spaces. The council does provide free parking at the Old Railyard car park in the town. But resident Derek Mills said this was situated about 15 minutes from his home, meaning it was "not feasible" for people with limited mobility. "My wife is disabled, so there is absolutely no way I could park there and expect her to walk back," he added. Mr Hodgkinson said the council "remain committed to ongoing dialogue" with locals and businesses. Follow BBC Gloucestershire on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. New traffic rules as village faces 'overtourism' Air pollution measures dropped after 20 years Cotswold District Council
BBC News
25-05-2025
- BBC News
'Nightmare permits pricier than London – and we can still never park'
Locals in a picturesque Cotswold town have called for action over "nightmare" parking – with permits costing double that of London's wealthiest boroughs. Residents of Tetbury's ancient narrow streets, who have no option to park outside their homes, pay more than £600 a year for a parking permit. But, despite paying this sum, they do not have allocated spaces and say they are often unable to find a place to park near their Paul Hodgkinson from Cotswold District Council said opportunities to expand off-street parking in the town were "unfortunately limited". Everyone we spoke to holds a season ticket to park in Tetbury's West Street car park, which costs £640 a year. This compares to £257 a year for vehicles in the highest emission band in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, and £321 in Westminster. Susan Pillinger, who lives on a road in Tetbury with five cottages – and no space for cars – described parking as an "absolute nightmare". She said: "It's a constant worry because, if you go out, are you going to find anywhere to park when you come back?" David Pearson told BBC Radio Gloucestershire that he was well aware of the limited parking before moving to the area, but said "we didn't expect a 30% rise in the cost of a permit and also an increase in tourists"."Frankly in London you can get it for a third of the price and they have the same problems [with] narrow streets," he said. Ms Pillinger said she "wouldn't mind paying the money so much if we had an actual designated space".They have all called on the council to ensure that spaces in car parks near their homes are held for residents. 'Not feasible' The council's Mr Hodgkinson said half of the bays in West Street car park were allocated to season ticket holders. However, visitors are still able to use these spaces. The council does provide free parking at the Old Railyard car park in the resident Derek Mills said this was situated about 15 minutes from his home, meaning it was "not feasible" for people with limited mobility. "My wife is disabled, so there is absolutely no way I could park there and expect her to walk back," he added. Mr Hodgkinson said the council "remain committed to ongoing dialogue" with locals and businesses.
Yahoo
28-02-2025
- Yahoo
Coach parking solution could 'result in death'
A care home manager has said a temporary solution to coach parking shortages in a Cotswold town "could ultimately result in death". Following the closure of a Bourton-on-the-Water coach parking site in 2023, a provisional plan has been drawn up to allow coaches to pick up and drop off passengers on Meadow Way. But the manager of Jubilee Lodge care home wrote to the parish council, concerned that coaches might block emergency vehicles and people might die as a result. The temporary solution split a parish council vote to support the proposal put forward by Gloucestershire County Council highways and county councillor Paul Hodgkinson - with five in favour, three against and one abstention. Stephen Davies, leader of Gloucestershire County Council, said the long-term solution would "probably need more work". For six months, a traffic regulation order will allow coaches to leave Meadow Way after a 10-minute drop-off period, turn right onto Station Road, then right onto the Fosse Way before reaching the industrial estate. The Local Democracy Reporting Service reports that parking would be available to Pulhams Coaches at the industrial estate between 09:00 and 16:00 every day. Jubilee Lodge care home's manager said the "noise pollution" of coaches and their passengers would "not only be disruptive to our residents but also those visiting loved ones". "The pathway is very narrow and many of our visitors require the use of wheelchairs and other mobility aids, I feel that space will be extremely limited for those trying to access our homes," they said in their communication to the parish council. "My biggest concern is that, due to a high volume of traffic and with such a narrow road to and from Jubilee Lodge, the emergency services will not be able to get through, which could ultimately result in death." John Wareing and Len Wilkins, Bourton-on-the-Water's two Cotswold district councillors, voted against, citing the lack of "consideration" for Jubilee Lodge residents, visitors, and employees, and schoolchildren and parents who use the "already busy" pavement. "Simply moving the pinch-point of unbearable visitor coach congestion to another unsuitable location in the village is not a solution," they said in a joint statement. Davies, leader of the county council, said the plan was designed "to alleviate the current problem" while a "long-term solution" was created. Follow BBC Gloucestershire on Facebook, X, and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. New coach parking trial for 'choked' village Talks ongoing to ban coaches in Cotswolds village Gloucestershire County Council Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS)
