A TOURIST coach owner has slammed the council for a lack of action regarding parking in a Cotswold village.

Andy Pulham, of Pulham Coaches, is angry the coach parking facility in  Bourton-on-the-Water will be closing on Sunday, December 31, leaving the village with nowhere to cater for the thousands of tourists who visit by coach each year.

Earlier this year, the number of coach parking bays at privately-owned Bourton Vale car park was more than halved, with just eight remaining.

On December 31 the remaining eight will go.

Cafes and shops in the village concerned have previously expressed their concern, and Mr Pulham believes Cotswold District Council has not done anything to resolve the situation.

He said: "I have lived in the village for the last 54 years and have ran the family coach business for the last 24 of those and I am appalled at our local council.

"They have known about the privately owned coach parking facilities closure for the last two years, have done nothing to assist and resolve the situation.

"Bourton-on-the-Water hosts in the region of 6,000 coaches per annum and is a popular destination for many coach companies the length and breadth of the United Kingdom.

"Overseas visitors flock to see our pretty village and the local businesses rely on coach groups to remain sustainable and make Bourton-on-the-Water the attraction it has become."

Mr Pulham also emphasised the importance of the coaches for the local economy in the village.

A Cotswold District Council spokesperson said that the council has worked "very hard" to find a solution and is still trying.

They said: "The Council has worked very hard over the past two years to find a solution to coach parking in Bourton-on-the-Water following the decision by the private car park owner to stop providing coach parking in the village.

"Unfortunately no solution has been found despite our best efforts. No stone has been left unturned and we will continue to work with the county council, police, local businesses and the parish council to help manage coach visits to the village.

“In our efforts to solve the issue and support local businesses, the district council and its chief executive has been leading a group of local community organisations to explore alternative options for the past 12 months."