More than 1,300 Marlovians have reportedly responded to a consultation about controversial parking plans for the town centre.

Marlow town and Bucks county councillor Alex Collingwood, who called in the original decision to go ahead with the plans, thanked residents for having their say and urged more to complete the survey before it closes.

He said: “It would be fantastic if we could get close to the same number of responses as the budget or children’s centres of 2,000 and that covered responses from the whole of Bucks.

“I have been very impressed by the quality and detail of the responses.

“They have rightly identified the issues as follows: the data the proposal is based on is flawed, there will be displaced parking, there is a lack of capacity and additional 30 spaces not sufficient, it is premature as [Wycombe] District Council is carrying out a review of its car parks and they have 83 per cent of the spaces, there is a lack of enforcement and joint enforcement is possible as it was previously, and there will be a detrimental impact on the economy both locally and with tourists.”

It comes after Bucks County Council said it wanted to introduce pay-and-display in the High Street and surrounding areas, charging people to park in what are currently “limited waiting bays” where people can 
park for free for one hour between 8am and 6.30pm.

It was hoped by the county council that the move would encourage more people to use off-street car parks, which are cheaper, to reduce congestion and improve air quality.

But residents and businesses hit out at the plans, saying they would “destroy” the shopping in the town and drive visitors away.

Mayor Cllr Jocelyn Towns, who has been a key figure in leading the fight against the proposals, said it would be a “tragedy” if paid-for parking was introduced to the town.
She said: “Your town needs you. Please don’t miss this chance to have your say.

“It will be a tragedy if paid-for parking is imposed on us, when so many people don’t want it. We must say why we don’t want these changes.”

Around 7,500 people signed a petition against the plans last year, with the town council, the Marlow Society and the Marlow Chamber of Trade and Commerce making it clear they were “totally against” the proposals.

The consultation closes tomorrow (Saturday). Visit democracy.buckscc.gov.uk/mgConsultationDisplay.aspx?ID=5348 to have your say.