Bibury Parking - Coaches -UPDATED 13TH APRIL 2025

UPDATED STATEMENT - 13TH APRIL 2025

COACH PARKING CHANGES IN BIBURY

Gloucestershire County Council will shortly be releasing a press release about parking in Bibury, which we know will affect many of you as operators.
As you know we have highlighted for some time the pressure that is being placed on the villages of Bourton on the Water & Bibury, partially by visitor numbers in general but particularly by problems with accommodating full sized coaches. For some time we have sought to encourage operators to move to mini-buses, which are not only able to better navigate the narrow rural roads but which have more parking opportunities.

A Gloucestershire County Council working group has explored a range of options but will be publicly announcing shortly that within the next two months, Gloucestershire County Council Highways will be changing the layout of coaching parking bays in Bibury to stop coaches from parking or waiting in the lay by on the B4425 next to the bridge in the centre of the village. The second stage involves further exploration of the introduction of restrictions on coach access to the centre of the village.
Please read the full press release here from later today and note there will be a legal consultation process that will start in early summer.

The working group charged with reviewing the coach situation in Bibury is today announcing proposals after communities in the village raised concerns. Concerns centred around an influx of coaches to the idyllic Cotswold village that were causing congestion and creating safety issues for residents and visitors.

The working group made up of representatives from GCC (tourism, highways and parking), Cotswold District Council, the Parish Council and Gloucestershire Constabulary came together to collectively discuss ideas and proposals and as a result recommendations are now being made.

Recommendations are initially focussed on short term measures to address the concerns highlighted by communities and the county council will monitor and use these to inform longer term ambitions, whilst ensuring that tourists are still able to visit and enjoy one of the Cotswolds prettiest villages.

The first stage, in the next two months, will involve changing the layout of coach parking bays to stop coaches from parking or waiting in the layby on the B4425 next to the Swan Bridge in the centre of the village. The second stage involves further exploration of the introduction of restrictions on coach access to the centre of the village. This would be dependent on the outcome of a legal consultation process that will start in early summer.

Longer term recommendations are:

1. Exploring opportunities to prohibit coach stopping and parking.

1. Installing clear and comprehensive signage to manage traffic access efficiently and prevent congestion by directing coaches away from narrow routes.

1. Review existing weight restrictions on the bridge.

1. Work with stakeholders to manage overtourism and market transport by encouraging minibus travel and public transportation. This would involve upgrading public pathways to improving accessibility and safety for walking/cycling tourists.

1. Conduct feasibility studies to identify potential areas outside the village for coach parking.

Cllr Stephen Davies, Leader of Gloucestershire County Council, said "We are committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of Bibury residents and visitors. The proposed measures will help manage traffic more effectively and enhance the overall experience for everyone. We appreciate the community's support and cooperation as we implement these changes. We also understand that these proposals may not be popular with coach operators, however we are determined to work to find a solution for coach tourists to be able to visit Bibury but this will take time. Therefore, we have attempted to find compromise solutions that offer outcomes which continue to welcome visitors in a managed way, whilst also addressing safety and congestion concerns of the village."

Cllr Lisa Spivey, division member for South Cerney, said: "I am delighted to see some positive action on this issue. I have been working closely with the residents of Bibury since they first highlighted it to me 18 months ago. Bibury welcomes tourists but the influx of large coaches really poses a danger to residents and visitors and makes the village chaotic almost all year round. These measures will help restore some calm so that everyone can enjoy this beautiful historic village."

Cllr Craig Chapman, Chairman of Bibury Parish Council, said "Whilst the residents of Bibury acknowledge that we live in a lovely village the pressures put on us by the sheer volume of tourists visiting and coaches bringing tourists has become intolerable and unacceptable. As a consequence of the lack of infrastructure, road narrowness and the disruptive and unsafe location of the two existing coach bays, it is a fact that Bibury is not a suitable destination for larger coaches. We are therefore thankful that the issues we face have been recognised and positive actions are being taken. We very much appreciate the outcome of the working group who have worked tirelessly to identify solutions and drive action. Whilst this is the start of action it is very positive and I am confident will be appreciated by the community.''

ENDS

Issued by – Communications team, Gloucestershire County Council, 01452 427554, communications@gloucestershire.gov.uk