Park and Fail

 

Residents of South Gloucestershire have been shocked to learn that Highways England have no idea about long standing hopes for more sustainable parking at the Tormarton motorway Junction.

Highways England closed the Picnic /Parking Site last year without any consultation, resulting in more cars dangerously parked on the nearby verges.   Sue Hope (Liberal Democrat, Cotswold Edge ward) has been fighting for years to get a formal Park and Share site at this busy junction.  This would be of vital strategic importance to the area, and dramatically reduce congestion on local roads.  It is included in the West of England Joint Transport Plan.

Sue said: “I was shocked when a Highways England Officer told me they had no idea about the vision for a Park and Share site on the A46, nor did anyone on her  staff.

“We desperately need better communication between agencies. I can’t believe what’s going on. Instead of opening it up, and improving local transport, they’ve simply closed the location. People are now parking illegally on the grass verges – because there’s nowhere else for them to go! I can’t believe they could be so short sighted, or so ignorant of what we want for the area. They’ve acted without so much as a by your leave, or any thought amongst themselves.

“We need a proper joined up approach, with a formal Park and Share site. This area could really help improve local transport, and it needs to be properly run.”