I AM one of many people in Cirencester who are worried about the growing parking crisis in Cirencester which is killing the small businesses in the town that are already struggling in the economic climate.

I for one visit Cirencester regularly on a Friday morning and know that if I do not arrive at the car park by 9.45am then I will have to drive around the car park for at least 30 minutes before I can find a space.

When I return to my car, having parked for two hours, I can see people driving round and round and they will inform me that they have been doing this for 20 minutes or so and are desperate. 

I used to go into town three or four times a week but not now as I cannot bear the thought of having to find somewhere to park.

I am afraid I now resort to online shopping.

If I do this, surely so do many others too causing the small businesses to lose out on our custom.

Our town is one of the few remaining unspoilt rural towns in the country and attracts many visitors from all over the world for its historical interest as well as to visit such a lovely town.

What a shame it is that Cotswold District Council have given planning permission for huge developments within the area before planning the infrastructure of the town and providing car parking for all the extra vehicles involved.

In an area like this with a very limited bus service most houses have two cars as a minimum.

Yes, people need homes but the balance has to be such that the businesses who rely on the people from those homes and visitors from further afield have somewhere to park to support the town’s businesses.

An immediate solution is needed as well as a longer term plan for a multi-storey car park and/or a ‘park and ride’.

Just a thought – as so many commuters use Kemble station and I believe there is a problem with parking there as well, if a ‘park and ride’ was sited between Kemble and Cirencester it could serve two purposes.

Somewhere within the planning structure some lateral thinking is necessary to come up with a solution before the town dies.

I trust that through your newspaper you will perhaps be able to dig the heads out of the sand and get something moving before it is too late.

MRS A. RANDALL
Cirencester