The charming Cotswold village of Bourton-on-the-Water, often celebrated as the Venice of the Cotswolds due to its scenic waterways, is preparing for a tumultuous summer plagued by severe traffic congestion. The trouble stems from the recent closure of the village’s key coach parking facility, leaving residents and officials scrambling to manage the influx of tourists and their vehicles.
Since December 31, 2023, the shutdown of the Bourton Vale car park on Station Road — formerly subsidised by Cotswold District Council — has forced coach drivers into unsafe and disruptive parking practices, including blocking pavements, obstructing residents’ driveways, and reversing through quiet residential streets. This situation has escalated frustrations among locals who are already weary of the excessive tourist numbers.
In an effort to alleviate the problem, authorities proposed a temporary, experimental drop-off and pick-up point on Meadow Way, aiming to implement it by Easter. However, progress was halted when engineers discovered underground electricity cables that prevented installation of necessary signage, making enforcement impossible. As a result, the plan faced opposition from both locals and coach operators alike.
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Neighbourhood parish councillors convened an emergency meeting to reconsider their support for the Meadow Way traffic order. Despite rejecting calls to withdraw backing for the scheme, the meeting highlighted widespread concern. Residents described the village as being “overrun with tourists” and voiced fears about safety and quality of life amid growing congestion.
District Councillor Jon Wareing lamented the plans, describing the Meadow Way drop-off as impractical and unsafe, particularly given the narrow pavements that offer no shelter or amenities like restrooms. “Trying to unload 60 to 100 passengers from two coaches in that space is nonsense,” he said. Wareing criticized the proposal as potentially worsening the already perilous conditions at peak times, such as school pick-ups.
Councillor Len Wilkins expressed disappointment in the parish council’s failure to fully address resident concerns, emphasizing the challenge of balancing the needs of visitors, local businesses, and the community.
Several residents recounted chaotic scenes on Meadow Way, citing “huge traffic jams” and obstructed pavements endangering pedestrians, including children and school groups. One person highlighted the dangers of cars and industrial vehicles navigating crowded junctions alongside busy foot traffic. Others noted the health concerns arising from coaches idling near homes and questioned the accessibility of the new drop-off point, especially its distance from restroom facilities.
The lack of visible traffic enforcement was criticized harshly by the community, some labeling current efforts as mere “kicking the can down the road.” Locals warned that without proper intervention and trials, coaches would continue illegal parking and disruptive turning maneuvers in residential neighborhoods.
At the meeting, highways officer Dan Tiffany acknowledged the Meadow Way solution is far from perfect but insisted it was the most viable option Gloucestershire County Council could identify thus far. He explained that a six-month trial would allow officials to address safety or operational concerns promptly, though progress has been delayed due to the buried cables.
While the situation remains unsettled, the parish council views the Meadow Way proposal as the best immediate measure to prevent coaches from congesting the village center and sensitive roads, aiming to avoid a repeat of the severe traffic problems witnessed in 2024.