Extra disabled parking bays, more pay and display spaces and a no entry restriction are some of the new measures which aim to make the bustling Market Place and surrounding area safer for pedestrians and more accessible for blue badge holders.
Gloucestershire County Council (GCC) has been working on these plans with Cirencester Town Council (CTC) for the last few years, and after many consultations and edits, the final version will come into effect on Thursday, April 4.
A no entry order will be imposed on Cricklade Street which will prohibit any vehicles apart from bicycles from the north end of the street between Market Place and Ashcroft Road. This aims to resolve the issue of drivers ignoring the pedestrian only signs at the street’s Market Place entrance.
More pay and display parking places will be introduced to Dyer Street and Cricklade Street. The first 20 minutes of parking will be free to allow people to complete quick errands but those wishing to stay longer will be able to park in these spaces for a maximum of two hours between 8am and 6pm everyday.
Furthermore, extra disabled only parking bays have been added to Castle Street, Cricklade Street, Dyer Street, Market Place and West Way to make the town centre more accessible for blue badge holders who will be able to park in these spaces for up to three hours.
Meanwhile, other measures focussing on altering parking within the town centre to reduce traffic congestion in the busy Market Place area have also been implemented.
A spokesperson for GCC said: “GCC has been working in partnership with Cirencester Town Council to deliver these improvements… formed through feedback received in informal engagement exercises in 2021 and support from the town council. Extra parking bays in the town and restricted parking areas will ensure there is regular turnover of parking spaces and will provide better short stay access to shops and businesses in the town centre. Additional disabled bays will also be introduced to protect kerbside space for blue badge holders.”
To see full plans view tinyurl.com/3ccc9t34