Controversial parking measures for Marlow’s town centre have been scrapped in a dramatic U-turn following a hard-fought campaign by residents and businesses.

Transport for Bucks announced today that it would not be installing pay-and-display in the High Street and surrounding roads after the majority of residents and businesses, as well as the town council and county councillor Alex Collingwood, “made their opposition to paid parking very clear”.

Bucks County Council 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.

But the plans were met with anger by residents and shop owners who said they would “destroy” shopping in the town, and mayor Jocelyn Towns, together with Marlow Chamber of Trade and Commerce and The Marlow Society, set up a petition against the plans which gathered 7,500 signatures.

Councillor Mark Shaw, deputy leader and cabinet member for transportation, said: “The strength of feeling against paid parking on-street in Marlow came through loud and clear, so we will not be taking forward these proposals at the current time.

“We never wanted to impose anything that would be detrimental to the town, and will continue to look for options to better manage parking in this busy and thriving town centre.”

The news was met with jubilation by an emotional Cllr Towns, who was a key figure in leading the fight against the plans.

She said: “I am gobsmacked, shocked and amazed.

“I am staggered, delighted and thrilled that the people of Marlow have helped to get this decision because it was down to everyone in Marlow doing their bit.”

The county council said it will will soon consult formally on limited parking restrictions around Marlow, which it says are designed to improve road safety and congestion at junctions, as part of the wider consultation on parking.