9:30am Monday 11th June 2012
By Andrea Glennon
FURIOUS motorists who slammed the introduction of controversial Sunday and overnight car parking charges in Cirencester are being urged to get involved with a review of parking in the town.
The storm that followed the launch of round-the-clock charges in Brewery Car Park prompted county, district and town council chiefs and Cirencester Chamber of Commerce to form the Cirencester Parking Partnership to oversee a review.
Cirencester Town Council has written to homeowners explaining the purpose of the review and how to fill in a questionnaire about their parking habits either online or by post by Friday, July 6.
Town council chief executive Andrew Tubb said the review would investigate innovative ways to best use parking in Cirencester while supporting the needs of townsfolk, businesses and visitors.
He called on every single person who attacked the proposals put forward by Cotswold District Council to introduce 24/7charges last October to get involved because it was their chance to help shape parking policy.
"This is a real opportunity, which doesn’t come along too often, where we can look at parking issues across the whole town covering both on and off street provision with all authorities involved," he said.
"We would encourage as many people as possible to complete the questionnaire so that as much evidence-based data as possible can be gathered.
"More detailed work within the community will follow about specific proposals and solutions."
Cirencester Chamber of Commerce president Jonathan Davies hoped the partnership could spark a U-turn on charging policy.
"It's time we started trying to bring about change ourselves," he added. "Hopefully the review will result in a meaningful solution for Cirencester."
Initial ideas about improving car parking will be drawn up and presented at public consultation sessions in autumn.
Paper copies of the questionnaire can be picked up from the town council in Dyer Street or CDC offices in Trinity Road. To request a questionnaire by post call 01285 623000.
* Let us know what you think be calling 01285 627318, emailing andrea.glennon@gwent-wales.co.uk, or submit a comment below.
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