Last chance to have your say on parking in the Suffolks and Bath Rd area

People living in south Cheltenham have another chance to view parking proposals for the area. Last Friday, Gloucestershire County Council held a drop in session for people to view parking proposals being looked at for the Suffolks and Bath Road area of Cheltenham.

The County Council is looking at making changes in the area after residents’ and traders’ groups asked for help with parking problems. Hundreds of people attended to view the plans on display and to give feedback on what is being suggested.

As turnout was far higher than expected, unfortunately the County Council was forced to turn some people away right at the end of the session as the venue had to be vacated.

However, for people who didn’t make it in time or anyone who wasn’t able to come along there is still the chance to see the plans and to comment as they are now online at www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/parkingschemes.

People can also email parking@gloucestershire.gov.uk or call the parking team for more information and to give feedback within the next two weeks (from 22nd November).

Over the next two weeks the council will collate and review feedback given before publishing the final scheme for further comments.

The area already has two residents parking schemes introduce in 1997 and 2003, but people living there were concerned that improvements were needed.

After looking at the issues raised, the council has come up with potential solutions for the streets where residents were most concerned.

The solution involves:

·         Consolidating the permit zones and reviewing the timing / hours for residents parking schemes

·         Managing free parking space to ensure that visitors and customers can find a space to park. 

·         Managing all-day commuter parking demand

The council has also ruled out restrictions for some streets that residents wanted us to look at because parking problems were not proven. Additionally, no changes will be made to parking restrictions in areas where residents and traders don’t feel there is an issue.

The streets being looked at are:

·    Montpellier Terrace, Suffolk Place & Back Montpellier terrace (boundary to the north)

·    Montpellier Grove, Upper Bath Street Commercial Street and Bath Terrace (boundary to the east)

·    Southwood Lane and Andover Walk (boundary to the west)

·    Andover Road, and its junctions with Painswick Road and Great Norwood Street (boundary to the south)