Hundreds of people have signed a petition against controversial parking measures planned for Marlow’s High Street, which could see residents and visitors paying to park in what are currently free parking bays.

It comes after it was revealed that Bucks County Council (BCC) 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.

Now a petition has been launched by Marlow Town Council, Marlow Chamber of Trade and Commerce, and Marlow Society, which has garnered 459 signatures so far.

The organisations said they were “totally against” paid parking being introduced.

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 BCC, saying the plans would “destroy” shopping in the town, with Marlow Town Council, Marlow Chamber and Marlow Society all saying they were “totally against” the proposals.

The plans were withdrawn last week in a dramatic U-turn by the county council, and are expected to be re-submitted in due course.

The ePetition runs from today until November 14 and can be found at https://democracy.buckscc.gov.uk/mgEPetitionDisplay.aspx?ID=4302&RPID=82844323&HPID=82844323.

- What do you think of the plans? Comment below or email shruti.sheth@london.newsquest.co.uk.