Parking Update – Free Parking in Jan/Feb & New Tariffs

Free parking trial in January and February

Cotswold District Council will be allowing motorists to park for free in its car parks on Mondays and Tuesday afternoons during January and February 2015 between 1pm and 6 pm. Unfortunately, there was some confusion when signs on the pay machines were not put up on time nor were the machines turned off so a number of customers paid.

Cllr Hancock said: “We apologise for this oversight and can assure residents that notices are in place. We will also make regular checks to ensure that the notices remain in situ for the duration of the free parking trial.”

Cotswold District Council will refund anyone who paid unnecessarily on Monday and Tuesday of this week.  They are also extending the scheme to include free parking after 1 pm on Monday 2 March as a gesture of goodwill.

To claim a refund, send your ticket to the Parking Team, Cotswold District Council, Trinity Road, Cirencester, GL7 1PX. Alternatively, call 01285 623000 or email parking@cotswold.gov.uk.

Improved car parking tariffs take effect in January

Following approval at the Cotswold District Council Cabinet meeting in December 2014, the following improved tariffs will take effect from Monday 12 January 2015:

  • removal of overnight parking charges (between 6pm and 8am) at the Brewery Car Park, Cirencester;
  • introduction of a new off peak ‘plus’ ticket – allowing parking for both off peak periods and all day on weekends in any car park – at a proposed charge of £50 per year;
  • introduction of a £2 all day tariff at the car parks in Old Market Way, Moreton-in-Marsh and West Street, Tetbury;
  • at car parks where Sunday charges apply, the 8 am to 6 pm charging period will reduce to a 10am to 4pm period, to better reflect retail activity.

Commenting on the changes, the Cabinet Member for parking issues Cllr Chris Hancock said:
“We are always looking to improve our car parking services, and feedback from residents has shown that they are concerned about the availability of on-street parking overnight in the centre of Cirencester. We felt that removing parking charges at the Brewery Car Park from 6 pm until 8 am would help resolve the situation. We also think that the £50 per year off peak ‘plus’ ticket will be welcomed by residents faced with no resident parking zones or in streets with high parking demand – as well as bringing benefits to regular shoppers and those who only work on weekends.

Council Leader Cllr Lynden Stowe will be giving his full support to the proposals next week:
“We are mindful of the need to keep down costs for car park users and have already pledged to freeze all car parking charges until at least 2016, as well as introducing several price reductions and offers over the last few years, including weekly off-peak season tickets and the popular £2 all day parking fee at the Beeches car park in Cirencester. I believe that these latest proposals will bring even more benefits for residents, businesses, working people and shoppers across the district. We are also hoping that the new measures will enhance the visitor experience and increase the time spent in our market towns.”