POWER to the people is the message of a new £100,000 pedestrian-friendly scheme to transform a Marlow shopping street, as plans were revealed this week.

A cobbled 'informal crossing' marks the centrepiece of a Spittal Street makeover which designers say will reduce the impact of traffic on the busy stretch.

New wall-mounted LED lanterns will replace lamp posts to give the street its own identity, designers say.

Project consultant Dan Fenn said the raised section of granite cobbles aim to take drivers "out of their comfort zone" and make them more aware of a "shared space" between vehicles and pedestrians.

He said: "We know people take their life into their hands when crossing Spittal Street.

"Pedestrians will feel more confident crossing and it is an informal crossing so there is no signage. We don’t want drivers to be in their comfort zone, we want to make them more aware.

"It will help the healthy flow of the street and take away the dominance of the car and give some power back to the pedestrian.

"It is about changing people’s perceptions. The car isn’t king anymore and I am sure this will do the job."

Marlow’s second shopping street has suffered a decline in fortunes in recent years, with a glut of businesses leaving and rows of empty retail premises.

However, a flow of pop-up shops over the last eight months has brought shoppers back to the strip, with Marlow Town Council hopeful the ‘public realm upgrade’ scheme will improve the area’s ambience.

Consultants on the scheme say Spittal Street carries around 4000 vehicles a day in each direction.

Among the changes, Victorian-style lanterns will be affixed to buildings, freeing up pavement space from street lights.

Diasbled access will be improved, and a plan to widen the narrow pavement by nearly a foot near the High Street is designed to hand the advantage back to shoppers and pedestrians.

Drainage issues will also be addressed, with a gully constructed to stop rainwater pouring onto the road.

And traffic islands at both ends of the street will be redesigned to act as a gateway into the refurbished zone.

Mr Fenn said feedback from the consultation has been positive.

He said: "People have really welcomed the street lighting, the drainage improvements and recognise the footways as a problem. Everyone has agreed an informal crossing would be a good idea.

"Some people have found that difficult to get their heads around, but seem to understand the philosophy behind it."

The £100,000 scheme is funded through Section 106 developer contributions held by Wycombe District Council and Community Infrastructure Levy held by the town council.

Investment has also been made by Sorbon Estates, a major commercial property landlord in Spittal Street.

If councillors give the plan the green light, work is expected to begin March and last four to six weeks.

Town conservation group the Marlow Society is currently considering its response to the plans.