Councillor looks for solution to town's parking problems (From Gazette Series)

Councillor looks for solution to town's parking problems

GLOUCESTERSHIRE county councillor for Dursley Cllr Geoff Wheeler (Lab) is trying to find a solution to problems of parking in the town.

The lack of space has been an issue since the temporary library buildings were put on the small car park in Castle Street.

Cllr Wheeler is asking for a joint meeting of the county council and Stroud District Council to find short-term and long-term answers.

He said: "I am very aware of the problems that have arisen because of putting the temporary library on the small Castle Street car park.

"Unfortunately no other suitable site could be found for the temporary library but the result is that there are a number of problems for local people."

Cllr Wheeler added that people who have difficulty in walking are now having problems with doing their shopping in the town centre and that some of these people are now shopping elsewhere.

This in turn is leading to concerns from traders that the affected people may choose to shop elsewhere permanently.

There is also an increased demand for spaces in the other car parks, which means that at busy times there may not be spaces available

Cllr Wheeler has written to the county council to ask for a meeting with district council officers so that a solution to the problems can be found, as well as to recognise that there may also parking problems in the future during construction of the proposed supermarket.