A petition has been launched to halt Cotswold District Council’s decision to scrap free parking on Sundays and to increase parking charges and permit costs as part of it latest budget which was agreed last week.
CDC said the ‘difficult’ decision was needed to ensure the authority was prepared for future budget cuts.
The move means, for example, that at the Brewery, Forum, Abbey, Old Station, Waterloo and Sheep Street car parks, the current tariffs of £1.70 for one hour and £3 for two hours parking are due to increase to £2 and £3.50 respectively from 1 April. In addition, the usual three hours parking charge of £3.90 in these areas will increase to £4.60 and parking costs at Cirencester Leisure Centre – which is owned by CDC – will also mirror these rises.
With concerns raised that footfall in the town centre could decrease which would have a negative impact on businesses and amenities such as the church, Cirencester resident Maisie England has set up a petition on Change.org to halt the plans which has rallied considerable support from the community.
Ms England said: “I decided as a resident of Cirencester that it would be better to take proactive action rather than to just complain about the charges on Facebook.
For full details of the rises and how to object in writing see tinyurl.com/yc6fdvmm. All objections must be received not later than 29 February.