Fix Residents' Parking in Cheltenham Town Centre
The Issue
Owning a car in Cheltenham Town Centre has become an increasingly frustrating experience for residents due to the growing difficulty in finding parking spaces.
As a resident and holder of a Zone 1 permit, I have found myself endlessly circling, hunting for that elusive parking spot. Often, I am forced to park far away because the changes to our neighbourhood have not been met with the necessary adjustments in parking management.
Zone 1's parking challenges are exacerbated by the dual operation of spaces as both resident-zoned and Pay and Display areas. Its proximity to the High Street, the Town Hall, and the Everyman Theatre means countless vehicles arrive every day, leaving residents like us to compete with visitors for the limited spaces available. Recent developments, such as the conversion of multiple office buildings on Rodney Road into residential units, have added further strain to an already stressed parking infrastructure.
The current lack of coordination between Cheltenham Borough Council, which manages the off-street car parks, and Gloucestershire County Council, which is responsible for on-street parking, only makes things worse. This disjointed approach fails to account for the actual number of resident spaces versus the number required, leaving local residents inconvenienced daily. The County Council doesn't even know how many resident spaces exist, but it does know that demand for annual resident permits increased by over 9% between 2022 and 2024.
To address this pressing issue, I urge Gloucestershire County Council to conduct a thorough assessment of Zone 1's parking needs. Establishing a cohesive and comprehensive parking strategy is essential. Solutions such as increasing the number of resident-only spaces, re-evaluating the areas designated for Pay and Display, and allowing flexibility between neighbouring zones would significantly alleviate the current parking strain at minimal cost.
We need the council to prioritise this issue and take immediate action to make parking accessible and convenient for local residents. Join me in calling on Gloucestershire County Council to take decisive steps towards improving parking conditions in Zone 1. Your support can help create a more liveable environment for all of us who call Cheltenham Town Centre home.
Sign this petition to demand change now!
107
The Issue
Owning a car in Cheltenham Town Centre has become an increasingly frustrating experience for residents due to the growing difficulty in finding parking spaces.
As a resident and holder of a Zone 1 permit, I have found myself endlessly circling, hunting for that elusive parking spot. Often, I am forced to park far away because the changes to our neighbourhood have not been met with the necessary adjustments in parking management.
Zone 1's parking challenges are exacerbated by the dual operation of spaces as both resident-zoned and Pay and Display areas. Its proximity to the High Street, the Town Hall, and the Everyman Theatre means countless vehicles arrive every day, leaving residents like us to compete with visitors for the limited spaces available. Recent developments, such as the conversion of multiple office buildings on Rodney Road into residential units, have added further strain to an already stressed parking infrastructure.
The current lack of coordination between Cheltenham Borough Council, which manages the off-street car parks, and Gloucestershire County Council, which is responsible for on-street parking, only makes things worse. This disjointed approach fails to account for the actual number of resident spaces versus the number required, leaving local residents inconvenienced daily. The County Council doesn't even know how many resident spaces exist, but it does know that demand for annual resident permits increased by over 9% between 2022 and 2024.
To address this pressing issue, I urge Gloucestershire County Council to conduct a thorough assessment of Zone 1's parking needs. Establishing a cohesive and comprehensive parking strategy is essential. Solutions such as increasing the number of resident-only spaces, re-evaluating the areas designated for Pay and Display, and allowing flexibility between neighbouring zones would significantly alleviate the current parking strain at minimal cost.
We need the council to prioritise this issue and take immediate action to make parking accessible and convenient for local residents. Join me in calling on Gloucestershire County Council to take decisive steps towards improving parking conditions in Zone 1. Your support can help create a more liveable environment for all of us who call Cheltenham Town Centre home.
Sign this petition to demand change now!
The Decision Makers
Supporter Voices
Petition Updates
Share this petition
Petition created on 5 August 2026