East Cambridgeshire District Council has published a consultation – possibly one of the lowest-profile consultations ever – on proposals to use Cresswells Lane in Ely (just beyond the Royal Mail offices and the turning into Sainsburys car park) for parking coaches.

The move follows the council’s decision to move coach parking spaces out of Barton Road in Ely, leaving only one coach space instead of the current five.

The consultation is not clear how many coaches will be allowed to park in Cresswells Lane, or how they will turn.  If they are dropping off tourists at the Cathedral, I assume coaches will then access the proposed Cresswells Lane parking via Back Hill, Broad Street and Lisle Lane, adding to the existing traffic congestion in that part of Ely.

The consultation, which closes on Wednesday 6 April, is a revision of the council’s Off Street Parking Places Order 2016, also includes an increase in the fee for a Fixed Penalty Charge (up £10, from £60 to £70) and a proposal to trial and then implement cashless parking at Angel Drove Car Park.

Any objections to the Order must be made in writing, specifying the grounds on which they are made, by 6 April 2016 and addressed to The Chief Executive, East Cambridgeshire District Council, The Grange, Nutholt Lane, Ely, Cambridgeshire CB7 4EE or submitted via parking@eastcambs.gov.uk (link sends e-mail).

A copy of the Order, a Statement of Reasons for proposing to make the Order, and maps are available for inspection at the Council Offices in Ely between 8.45am and 5.00pm (Monday-Thursday) and 8.45am and 4.30pm (Friday) or can be viewed online.