Parking charges to be frozen in Cirencester and Cotswolds car parks 

It comes after the council’s budget consultation last year where 44.3 per cent of the public voted to keep parking charges the same. 

Cirencester traders previously told the Standard that any rises in parking could ‘cripple’ the town.

In Cirencester and Stow, standard parking rates in pay and display bays will remain at £1.70 for an hour and £3.00 for two hours. 

While in Tetbury they will stay at £1.10 for an hour and £2.10 for two hours. 

Cotswold District Council's cabinet has also decided against introducing parking charges on Sundays across the district. 

But existing Sunday charges will continue at Bourton-on-the-Water and Stow-on-the-Wold.

It was reported in November that Cotswold District Council was considering a 1.99 per cent council tax rise along with potential increases in car parking charges and garden waste fees, due to a funding deficit of almost £2m. 

CDC Liberal Democrats say they hope that freezing the cost of parking will give a small financial boost to businesses and residents.

READ MORE: Anger at plans to increase parking charges in Cirencester

(L to R) Linda Purvis owner of Encore, Cllr Mike Evemy deputy leader of Cotswold District Council, Kim Beames manager of Jones Bootmaker and Cllr Joe Harris Leader of Cotswold District Council (Image: Cotswold District Council)

Council leader, Cllr Joe Harris, said: “I know that many local people are feeling the pinch this year because of the cost of living crisis.

"This is one small way of showing that we’re caring for the Cotswolds’ residents and businesses. 

“Both of my parents run businesses in the centre of Cirencester and even though trade and footfall remain resilient, I recognise the negative perception that can be created by putting parking charges up”.

“The government has cut the district council’s core funding by 60 per cent since 2010. 

“When you combine this with high inflation and the huge rises in the cost of energy, the council’s finances are under real pressure. 

“We are able to freeze parking charges this year because of the difficult financial decisions we’ve made since 2019 when we took control of the council.” 

“Before Christmas, we had a good response to our budget consultation and we know that many residents recognise the financial challenges the council is facing. 

“There were mixed views about parking charges and having weighed these up, we’ve decided not to change them this year to give residents and businesses certainty.”

“I hope the Conservatives running Gloucestershire County Council will do the same for on-street parking charges.”