The leader of Cotswold District Council has said he is 'extremely frustrated' by the time it has taken to fix traffic problems in the centre of Cirencester.

Joe Harris, who also represents the town on Gloucestershire County Council, has criticised the authority for taking a 'long time' to sign off on the plans.

A review of parking and traffic management in the town centre is underway, but the plans are yet to go out for public consultation.

It is hoped the plans will find a solution to cars continuing to drive down Cricklade Street during times when the road is pedestrianised.

"The changes to the town centre have breathed new life into the Market Place and made it a much better place to be," said Cllr Harris

"You only have to look at the reinvigorated markets which were under threat of closure back in 2017.

"I'm looking forward to some of the planned minor works which will deal with some of the defects such as broken sets and uneven slabs.

"It is however extremely frustrating that the county council have taken such a long time to sign the final plans off which will allow the removal of the redundant traffic lights once and for all and a solution to cars travelling down Cricklade Street which I know infuriates pedestrians.

"As we look to the future and in particular after the COP26 climate change summit we need to find ways of getting people out of their cars where possible and encouraging active travel such as walking and cycling, it's my hope that the town centre adapts to make this even easier."

Earlier this month a spokesperson for Gloucestershire County Council said: "We are currently reviewing parking and traffic management in Cirencester Town Centre, which will include Cricklade Street.

"We will be asking for the public to give feedback on the plans when we start public consultation in due course.”

When asked for an update this week, a council spokesperson was unable to provide any more details about the exact nature of the review.