PLANS to refurbish Cirencester’s Forum Car Park are now in motion as the council has begun accepting potential offers for the contract.

The car park will be upgraded in a number of ways and will be redesigned and relined during the redevelopment.

As well as a new layout and surface the council are seeking a new drainage system, revised boundary walls and the removal of dead and damaged trees.

The car park will also have a pedestrian ramp and new pay and display machines.

Applications are being considered until 5pm on October 10 with a decision expected to be made around November this year with work to begin around January 2015.

In a statement to the Standard Chairman of Cotswold District Council Cllr Clive Bennett said:

"The main improvements will be relocating the entrance to where the exit currently is. This will reduce the vehicular and pedestrian conflict that exists at present by the public toilets.

"Pedestrian access will be improved by widening the gaps and improving the sight lines. The steps opposite the police station will be replaced with a ramp to enable easier access for everyone."

Cllr Bennett also added that there will be 12 disabled parking bays in the new design, an increase on the four spaces currently provided.