IN RECENT weeks you have published many letters of objection to the proposed erection of a multi storey car park in the Waterloo, and regrettably they will have been ignored by the council’s parking team.

We now have a leaflet published by Cotswold District Council, headed with the wording ‘working together to create the new Waterloo Car park’ which is something which has never been applied to the parking problems in Cirencester since a multi storey in the Waterloo was first suggested over 20 years ago.

With blinkered attention, ignoring all the many opportunities to solve the parking problem, the ‘parking team’ have brought us to this point.

There have been plenty of chances to solve the parking problem over the years, for instance where the old cattle market stood, Bridges Garage, where McCarthy and Stone now are, the Old Cinema, The Old School premises in Lewis Lane, and now The Old Police Station and Magistrates Court.

Cotswold District Council want to sell that and part of the Forum car park (which is a ridiculous plan), but a car park in that situation, would increase footfall through Cricklade Street, which might well revive fortunes there!

However the plan stands, pursue the building of a multi storey in the Waterloo which would ruin the outlook for at least 50 households.

In the light of declining use of High Street shops, can such a possible white elephant of a building be justified?

It is proposed to provide 800 spaces, will they be needed in the long run?

Space can be found more cheaply by flattening the Old Police Station and Magistrates Court, which could allow flexibility for the planners at a later date if necessary.

The suggested solution to the problem of temporary parking during building operations at the Waterloo, the space at the rugby ground will not be welcome to people who have to walk back from the town centre in all weathers.

Your sincerely,

Michael Goss

Cirencester