Venice of the Cotswolds Coach Tragedy: Neglected Warnings Lead to Parish Council Resignation

The leader of a Cotswolds municipality has resigned in objection to how a contentious coach parking initiative was discussed. Bourton-on-the-Water Councillor Jon Wareing stepped down following worries that "valid public health and safety" issues regarding the temporary fix for Meadow Way were overlooked at a recent special meeting of Bourton Parish Council.

Gloucestershire County Council is implementing a short-term drop-off and pickup system in the popular area. Cotswold village which has the support of the parish council. An extraordinary meeting was called by three councillors to hear public concerns over the proposal and for the parish council to consider withdrawing its support for the temporary proposals.

Nevertheless, this proposal was rejected by the parish council, even though Councillor Waring claims that both local residents and bus companies raised concerns regarding the safety and feasibility of the plan. According to him, some bus company representatives characterised the initiative as "poorly conceived and potentially fraught with logistical issues." They also stated that "the location selected is precisely at an intersection, making it unsafe."

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Councillor Wareing stated: "I chose to step down as a parish councillor due to how the Meadow Way experimental traffic regulation order was managed. This decision isn't primarily about supporting or opposing the result itself; rather, it stems from the unwillingness to follow a thorough process for weighing up the advantages and disadvantages to achieve a democratically sound conclusion."

Specifically, the legitimate worries of residents regarding the project were not subject to any discussion or debate. Particularly, this included their apprehensions concerning public health and safety.

"The concerns of some coach operators about the safety and workability of the scheme and subsequent withdrawal of some coach services as a direct consequence. The nonsensical, baffling and frankly self-defeating negative impact of the scheme on the visitor experience.

It's crucial that when you're part of a group or organization, you agree to collectively made choices since you trust the process leading to those decisions was thorough and sound, regardless of whether you like the result.

Frankly, I do not think the procedure adequately considered every viewpoint nor did it appropriately weigh them. It was especially disheartening how the Council failed to recognize the residents' concerns and objections regarding the Meadow Way project.

This was a missed chance to embody the council’s new mission statement, which reads: 'working together to make sure the community remains central to all our activities.'

Councillor Wareing, who will keep his role representing Bourton Village on Cotswold District Council, states he plans to look into setting up a residents' association.

He states that this will be achieved with the intention of "hearing from local residents and fostering a beneficial effect to counteract the deterioration of our social, natural, and economic surroundings, aiming to construct a more robust, adaptable, and sustainable community".

I believe that residents should have a structured platform, much like how tourism businesses in Bourton became organized. Those residents considering establishing a Residents' Association to form a cohesive voice for Bourton can reach out via email at jon.wareing@cotswold.gov.uk; I am here to assist them as they move ahead with this concept.

The Bourton Parish Council chose not to comment.