HOW we hope county councillors listen to trader Malcolm Allen who says his business has been ruined by their positive parking scheme.

Many have made similar claims, but Mr Allen has set out in detail on a graph how trade has declined 52 per cent at Strictly Models, his shop in Desborough Road, High Wycombe.

Mr Allen believes he has lost passing trade from customers who would normally have nipped in after parking for free.

These motorists now must pay for a meter or find space before they stop.

Positive parking, he argues, will turn High Wycombe into a ghost town if something is not done.

The council defends its scheme and some residents say it has helped them. But enough traders have now shown the regulations are causing immense problems.

The county must act to ensure that more small businesses are not shut by what is more accurately referred to as 'negative parking'.

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