PLANS for a multistorey car park in Cirencester have taken a step forward this week.

Members of Cotswold District Council’s (CDC) parking demand project board have unanimously agreed to seek funding from the council for decked parking to be built at the Waterloo Car Park, it has been announced today.

At a meeting held on Thursday, the board, established in June to find parking solutions for the town, agreed that sufficient progress had been made to support a detailed business case and funding request for development at the site.

Town mayor Mark Harris, chairman of the board, said: “We have now reached the point where we can provide an overwhelming case for this proposal, so we believe that the time is right to apply formally for the funding which will enable us to move forward with the procurement stage and also engage the services of an architect.

“This landmark development would signal a significant step forward for Cirencester’s future prosperity, but we are also aware that there are a range of sensitivities that must be addressed.

“For this reason, we will continue to consult with local stakeholders, and also residents in the vicinity of the site, to achieve the most sympathetic solutions regarding the look, feel and impact of the site.”

Cllr Mark MacKenzie-Charrington, the cabinet’s representative on the board, said: “We are pressing to gain the approval of the council for this project as soon as possible, and I am confident that we can then move as quickly as possible to deliver a new car park which will contribute to meeting present and future demand for parking spaces in the town.

“We are aware that people want us to get on with this work and I can assure everyone that the board is fully committed to this aim.”

Cllr Chris Hancock, cabinet member for enterprise and partnerships, who is responsible for car parking and enforcement across the district, echoed the views of Cllr MacKenzie-Charrington.

He said: “I am very pleased that we are now at the ‘light the blue touch paper’ stage of this project.

“Providing a decked car park at the Waterloo is just one of many options we are exploring to ease demand for parking in the town. These include: developing other car parking sites; establishing park and ride schemes; creating decant arrangements while existing spaces are out of commission during construction work; and encouraging the public to use healthy transport options such as walking and cycling.”

Email ryan.merrifield@newsquest.co.uk if you would like your say on the plans.