I BELIEVE that the proposed multi-storey Waterloo car park is the wrong provision in the wrong place.

The town needs a coach parking and pick-up point together with long stay parking to provide for commuters and other coach travellers, as well as employees who are in town for long periods. One such site could be by the London Road roundabout, accessible for the A429 and A417. 

Such provision would have no archaeological costs and be low level at first, with the potential for multi-storey and park and ride, should the demand increase at a later date. This would not only be cost effective but would prevent long-term disruption.

The Waterloo proposal is in a space surrounded by residences that would be threatened by light pollution, noise pollution and increased toxic fume pollution. The proposed access would become even more hazardous.

The Waterloo would also demand very expensive archaeology, as it is on one of the most sensitive archaeological sites, possibly the Roman Baths and I understand has never been built on before. It is also integral to flood prevention.

The disruption to parking in the town during a long period of construction would further break the habit of sightseers and shoppers to the town.

Planners – please take a broad and long-term view that would best serve the needs of current residents and the inevitable increase in traffic flow through an already congested town centre. The likely increase in population, and hopefully an expansion of much-needed tourism, calls for a more imaginative solution.

DON PINES
Cirencester