‘Nightmare permits pricier than London – and we can still never park’

Locals in a picturesque Cotswold town have called for action over “nightmare” parking – with permits costing double that of London’s wealthiest boroughs.

Residents of Tetbury’s ancient narrow streets, who have no option to park outside their homes, pay more than £600 a year for a parking permit.

But, despite paying this sum, they do not have allocated spaces and say they are often unable to find a place to park near their homes.

Councillor Paul Hodgkinson from Cotswold District Council said opportunities to expand off-street parking in the town were “unfortunately limited”.

Everyone we spoke to holds a season ticket to park in Tetbury’s West Street car park, which costs £640 a year.

This compares to £257 a year for vehicles in the highest emission band in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, and £321 in Westminster.

Susan Pillinger, who lives on a road in Tetbury with five cottages – and no space for cars – described parking as an “absolute nightmare”.

She said: “It’s a constant worry because, if you go out, are you going to find anywhere to park when you come back?”

David Pearson told BBC Radio Gloucestershire that he was well aware of the limited parking before moving to the area, but said “we didn’t expect a 30% rise in the cost of a permit and also an increase in tourists”.

“Frankly in London you can get it for a third of the price and they have the same problems [with] narrow streets,” he said.

Ms Pillinger said she “wouldn’t mind paying the money so much if we had an actual designated space”.

They have all called on the council to ensure that spaces in car parks near their homes are held for residents.

The council’s Mr Hodgkinson said half of the bays in West Street car park were allocated to season ticket holders.

However, visitors are still able to use these spaces.

The council does provide free parking at the Old Railyard car park in the town.

But resident Derek Mills said this was situated about 15 minutes from his home, meaning it was “not feasible” for people with limited mobility.

“My wife is disabled, so there is absolutely no way I could park there and expect her to walk back,” he added.

Mr Hodgkinson said the council “remain committed to ongoing dialogue” with locals and businesses.