Boost for traders as car park review is announced

TRADERS are encouraged by news that Stroud District Council is planning a review of all its car parks this month.

Independent businesses in Wotton-under-Edge sent a petition to the council asking them to reconsider the 23 hour time restrictions in The Chipping car park, which they believe is hindering a steady turnover of shoppers to the high street.

In response to the petition Alison Fisk, head of asset management at the council, said that Wotton would be part of a review of car parks in the district taking place this month.

In a letter to Gareth Kitchen, of Wotton shop Cookability who launched the petition, Mrs Fisk said: "The council will be commencing a review of all its car parks, challenging itself on why the car parks are held and the costs and benefits of doing so.

"The review will include Wotton and will take into consideration the recent work we have undertaken with the Chamber of Trade and the Town Council on charging and time limits and the concerns raised again through your petition."

The Wotton petition was sent to the district council last month after business owners discovered that plans for a new car park in the town had been put on hold.

Mr Kitchen said he hoped the review would highlight the parking issues in Wotton, which have remained unresolved for many years.

"A challenging review will serve to spotlight why the majority residents and shoppers in the town are unable to find short term parking space during the day," he said.

"The retailer's petition keeps the issue firmly on the agenda. We need to ensure that the residents can use the myriad of shops and services in the town centre quickly and conveniently."

Stroud District Council said the review will be in line with their corporate delivery plan to "deliver value for money solutions to car parks".

It is estimated the review will take two to three months and councillors will be presented with options to consider and consult on.

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