AN AGREEMENT with a supermarket in Dursley could free up dozens more long stay parking spaces in the town.

Following discussions with Dursley Town Council, Sainsbury’s has given up 40 parking spaces at the rear of its car park which will be given over for use by town centre traders.

The proposals have now been put out to public consultation by Dursley Town Council to gauge residents’ opinions on the plan.

The move is designed to respond to the imminent loss of 40 spaces at the temporary car park in Long Street with the car park becoming part of the Littlecombe development.

Permits would be given out to traders who apply for the spaces by the council. The move has been welcomed by businesses in the town centre.

Natasha Brown, who works at a bank in Parsonage Street, said: “I live in Dursley so parking has never been much of an issue for me as I walk to work, but for some of my colleagues who come from further afield the additional parking is great news.

“Currently many people who work in the town park in the May Lane long stay car park but spaces are often hard to come by.

“My colleagues who park opposite the Old Spot [May Lane] tell me that by 8.30am the car park is already chocka.

“Having the extra spaces is great news for businesses in the town and it was great that agreement was made between Sainsbury’s and the council on a local level.”

Steve Smith, who runs Intersound Guitars, said that any extra parking would be a bonus to the town.

“Although we’re losing the car park near to Listers it isn’t the best car park in the world - it’s getting overgrown and it is quite unsafe at night.

“This move is obviously an advantage for the traders but hopefully it also frees up some space closer to the town centre for shoppers.”

Councillors have stressed that the changes would not lead to charges being implemented at the council-run long stay car parks in May Lane and Water Street.

Mayor of Dursley, Clare Nelmes, ruled out charges in response to concerns made on Facebook, saying:

“We are just trying to make the situation for parking the best we can with the resources and facilities available to us. 

“We are not proposing to charge for parking if this scheme is successful. Residents can continue to park for free overnight in the town centre car parks after 6pm.

“Our research looked at all the town centre car parks and found that there was adequate short stay parking and weekend and evenings were also okay. 

“The pressure was on long stay parking during the working week which this proposal has been specifically designed to address.”

If, following the consultation period, the council proceeds with the plans then the scheme would only be run on an initial year-long trial.

The consultation period ends on Friday, December 11. To give your views on the plans either; email clerk@dursleytowncouncil.gov.uk, call 01453 547758, visit the office (weekdays between 10am and 3pm), on the Dursley Town Council Facebook page or in writing to Mr J Kay, Dursley Town Clerk, Jacobs House, Castle Street, Dursley, GL11 4BS.