Coach ban in 'Venice of Cotswolds' could 'backfire'

Business owners say plans to extend restrictions on coaches visiting a popular Cotswolds village could make traffic worse.

Bourton-on-the-Water, which is also known as the Venice of the Cotswolds, is already trialling restrictions which require coaches to drop off and collect passengers on Meadow Way before parking at a nearby business park for the day.

This was introduced to reduce congestion, but Bourton Parish Council has requested further restrictions on Station Road, Rissington Road and the Steeps, saying it is not stopping coaches from driving into the centre.

Business owners say extending the restrictions may just force more people into cars.

The ongoing trial, which dictates coaches must spend a maximum of 10 minutes dropping off and picking up passengers on Meadow Way, began in November.

When first announcing it, the parish council said it would "help ease congestion in the village" and provide a "long term solution" for Bourton.

However, ahead of a meeting on 9 February the council noted reports that "only around 10% of coaches were stopping in Meadow Way", with the majority continuing to drive into the middle of the village.

The authority has requested Gloucestershire County Council allow a further experimental traffic regulation order (ETRO) to include the other locations.

Alexander Clavel, who owns Bakery on the Water in Bourton, is not convinced it will make any positive difference.

"My personal feeling is that for businesses, coaches are helpful," he said.

"They better regulate the traffic. The coach companies, they tend to do some self-coordination so that they're not all in at the same time."

Adam Keen, general manager at Pulhams Coaches which is based in Bourton said it feels "a bit premature" to be increasing restrictions when the current system has not yet been in place during peak season.

He added that Cotswold School and destinations like Birdland and the Old New Inn would be inaccessible by coach if the ETRO is introduced.

"I undeniably see coaches dropping off where they shouldn't do and laying over where they shouldn't do... But I very, very rarely see any parking enforcement in Bourton," he said.

"So I would think step one is probably to enforce the conditions that are already in place because they're currently either not enforced at all or very seldom enforced.

"I do think that if you follow a path where coaches are not invited into Bourton or not permitted into Bourton, you will still have tourism.

"You'll still have people coming in, but rather than 40, 50 or 60 people on one vehicle travelling around the edge of the village and dropping off on the outskirts, you perhaps end up with then an extra 20 or 30 cars," he said.

Councillor Lisa Spivey, leader of Gloucestershire County Council, said: "We warmly welcome everyone to the Cotswolds and encourage visitors to enjoy the area's outstanding natural beauty while helping us to protect it for the future.

"In Bourton‑on‑the‑Water, a trial scheme is running that allows coaches to drop off and pick up passengers at a set location. They may then wait at a local depot for a small fee.

"The trial is currently under review, with discussions ongoing with village stakeholders."

Follow BBC Gloucestershire on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630.