50p parking levy set to fund more improvements in Bourton-on-the-Water

Councillor Mike Evemy, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance, said; “This is the second year we have had the tourism levy in place and it is providing funds to help us make improvements in Bourton-on-the-Water.

“It was great to see 290 residents respond to our consultation on how we should spend this year’s funds. I am pleased to say that we have put the money towards the projects residents told us mattered most.

“The projects we are funding include more traffic enforcement and new parking restrictions in residential areas to keep the roads clear, installing new dropped kerbs to help accessibility, improvements to the village green and river bank and providing a small amount of money for the village warden to help tackle local issues. We are also continuing to fund the village warden who helps visitors, businesses and residents.

“I would like to thank the Bourton-on-the-Water Parish Council for working with us on these proposals. We’re funding some of these projects jointly with the Parish Council, helping their parish precept go further.”

Comments from the public consultation highlighted that residents would like to see improvements to managing traffic and parking, improving open spaces and accessibility for the area.

Over £60,000 will be spent using income raised from the additional 50p paid for every stay in the Rissington Road Car Park.

Councillor Nick Maunder, Ward Member for Bourton Village, said, “This has been a real collaborative effort between the District Council, Parish Council and residents to spend this money in ways that will best benefit the community and I am pleased to see these projects have received funding. 

“It will have a big impact and will help us deal with the impact of high levels of tourism in the village.”

Cotswold District Council introduced the tourism levy in March 2021 to spend on projects and activities in the village to manage the volume of visitors who come to enjoy what Bourton-on-the-Water has to offer. Every year the council will be consulting with residents on how to best spend the money raised.