A PUB landlord in Beaconsfield feels that plans to introduce pay and display parking into the Old Town could do more harm than good.

Laurie Othen is the managing director of the Drinkwell Bars company which owns the Swan pub on London End road.

Published plans for the introduction of 45 pay and display spaces suggest that some of these spaces will go right outside of the Swan.

Mr Othen said: “The proposals, whilst a welcome step, do not go far enough, ignore the bigger picture and may even, in the short term, make the problem worse.”

He added: “Creating a small amount of short term parking may help some retailers, but it is likely to exacerbate the issue in the remaining parking areas and side streets, which are already massively congested.”

Last week, the Bucks Free Press reported that there has been a public exhibition to discuss the plans with one Councillor suggesting that public opinion was 50/50.

In a statement, South Bucks District Councillor Nick Naylor, Portfolio Holder for Environment said: “Introducing new parking controls would allow people to visit the Old Town knowing that finding somewhere to park near the shops won’t be a problem.”

With this in mind the main suggestion has seemed to appear as a welcome break for Old Town businesses.

Mr Othen said: “As it stands the current circumstances are not good for residents and retailers alike. I feel however that there is a refusal to look at the problem holistically.”

He added: “What is required - in the opinion of the many retailers, workers and residents that I have spoken to - is long term (all day) parking for workers, which they are happy to walk to and pay a reasonable amount for, with short term parking throughout the four ends for visitors, shoppers and diners. There also needs to be regulated residential parking.”

Plans for pay and display parking include an introduction of 45 spaces for a short-term stay at a maximum of three hours.

There is a current consultation being held for these plans which ends on Friday, March 21.

To have your say visit: www.southbucks.gov.uk

We would like to know your views on the plans too. Get in touch by emailing andrew.colley@london.newsquest.co.uk