‘More housing, more visitors and less enforcement have made it harder than ever for residents to park near their homes’
Carmelo Garcia Local democracy reporter
05:00, 29 Oct 2025
A file image of Cirencester Market Place(Image: Gloucestershire Live)
A Cotswold town’s “out of control” parking situation has prompted the council’s transport boss Joe Harris to write to his own authority calling for a review of restrictions.
The highways maintenance cabinet member and his father Mark Harris (LD, Cirencester North with Ermin), who are two county councillors for Cirencester, are calling on Gloucestershire County Council to act on what they say is a generational problem with on-street parking.
They have formally written to Cllr Roger Whyborn (LD, Benhall and Up Hatherley), who is the new cabinet member for parking, calling for a comprehensive review of on-street parking provision across the market town, the first in more than a decade.
“Cirencester’s residents’ parking situation is out of date and out of control,” Cllr Joe Harris said.
“Most of the parking restrictions are older than me! Since then, more housing, more visitors and less enforcement have made it harder than ever for residents to park near their homes.
“I’ve written to Gloucestershire County Council requesting an on-street parking review, one that actually leads to action this time.
“Residents deserve better than endless congestion and piecemeal fixes. Let’s sort it once and for all.”
Residents’ parking zones haven’t been meaningfully updated since they were introduced at the turn of the century, and as demand has grown, the town has been left with outdated arrangements, he said.
Cirencester councillor Joe Harris with residents in Gloucester Street.(Image: Joe Harris)
Since then, the pressures have only worsened. Residential streets are now regularly used as free long-term parking by commuters, shoppers and visitors.
This creates major problems for residents without off-street parking, carers and people with disabilities.
“The last review in 2012 found plenty of problems but nothing changed,” Cllr Harris added.
“The last review in 2012 confirmed there were lots of issues faced by locals, but nothing came of it. In the 13 years since many of the same problems remain and in some areas the situation has got much worse.
“A parking review is our chance to finally put in place a modern, fair and workable approach that looks at the whole town, not just isolated streets, and delivers for residents. This is a once in a generation opportunity and if we get it right, we can solve some of the town’s parking problems for the next few generations.”
The councillors are urging Shire Hall chiefs to work in partnership with Cirencester Town Council, Cotswold District Council and the local community. They want the review to consider a full range of options from residents’ zones and time-limited bays to adjustments of yellow lines, better management of commuter parking, and edge-of-town solutions.
Recent discussions at Cirencester Town Council and a packed public meeting last year have highlighted the depth of public frustration. A new Town Council survey of residents’ views is also expected shortly and could help shape solutions.
Cirencester councillor Joe Harris is calling on Gloucestershire County Council to review the parking restrictions in his hometown.(Image: Kay Ransom/Joe Harris)
Cllr Harris added: “We cannot afford another piecemeal exercise that raises expectations and delivers nothing. What Cirencester needs is a transparent, consultative and forward-looking plan, one that finally addresses this long-standing problem and could act as a model for other towns across the county.”
The councillors are awaiting a formal response from Gloucestershire County Council and have offered to meet with officers and Cabinet members to agree next steps.
A spokesperson for Gloucestershire County Council said: “We are aware of the request from Cllrs Joe and Mark Harris to review residents parking in Cirencester. Parking reviews are significant and costly projects that involve detailed surveys and engagement with the whole community.
“Because of this, council officers have submitted a funding request as part of the budget setting for next year (2026/27).
“Cabinet will decide whether to include this in the draft budget in December, before the final decision is made at a meeting of full council in February 2026. If funding is approved, we’ll be able to confirm when a review can take place.”