Plans to introduce controversial parking measures on Marlow High Street have been scrapped in a dramatic U-turn by the county council. 

Residents hit out at Bucks County Council after it was revealed they wanted to charge people £1 per hour or 20p per 12 minutes to park along the busy shopping street - replacing the current “limited waiting bays”, where people can park for free for one hour between 8am and 6.30pm with no return within an hour. 

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.

Shop owners on the High Street said the plans would "destroy" shopping in the town and Marlow Town Council and the Chamber of Trade and Commerce both objected to the proposals. 

Amid the outrage from residents, county and district councillor Alex Collingwood "called in" the decision so it would be looked at by the transport, environments and communities committee - but the plans have now been withdrawn. 

However, revised plans are expected to be submitted in due course. 

Cllr Collingwood said he was pleased the plans have been dropped for now, saying there should have been a consultation with residents on the proposals before any decision was made. 

He said: "It did not take account of local knowledge - that it will cause more congestion, displace parking and harm the economy. 

"Marlow is the biggest tourist destination in Bucks. It rivals Windsor in that sense. There is currently no capacity in the car parks to take the extra cars." 

He added that there should now be an "in-depth discussion and dialogue" with key stakeholders in the town, including Wycombe District Council, Marlow Town Council, the Marlow Society and the Chamber so they can look at a "holistic" approach to parking in the town.