New laws to allow drivers a ‘grace period’ when parking their cars will give traders in Marlow a much-needed boost, according to a business leader in Marlow.

Parliament gave the green light last week to a raft of measures to ease parking woes, including allowing drivers to overstay their limit by ten minutes and escape a fine.

The legislation means drivers will now be granted 70 minutes free parking on the majority of Marlow High Street, and ten minutes extra in all on-street bays around town.

Martin Spittle, chairman of Marlow Chamber of Commerce, says the change may affect people’s attitudes on heading out to the town to do their shopping.

He said: "As a chamber we welcome any ideas which aid the enjoyment of visitors to the town, "It helps for people to be there longer and it helps if people can enjoy their experience without worrying if they’re struggling with their bags to get back to their car in time.

"A lot of people have abandoned the high street for out of town shopping centres because of the convenience and mot having to worry about parking.

"From the point of view of keeping the town alive healthy, the ability to pop out for quick visits with a little more flexibility will be welcomed by businesses and those supplying businesses."

Communities secretary Eric Pickles said the new Deregulation Bill, agreed last week, is "ending the war on drivers who simply want to go about their daily business".

Other measures include banning CCTV ‘spy cars’ which issue fines for parking on double yellow lines and protection against "heavy-handed" actions of bailiffs.

Councils are also being asked to trial a new pilot allowing motorists challenging a parking ticket get a 25 per cent discount on the fine if they lose the appeal - not just money off if they pay early.

And new powers will be handed to groups of residents or firms to demand the council reviews parking in their area, including the charges and use of yellow lines.

This will be welcome news to residents in Marlow, who have been calling for a long-awaited town parking review amid a raft of problems in residential streets around the town.

Buckinghamshire County Council has welcomed the move, despite changes meaning it could lose over 15 per cent in on-street parking revenue with drivers overstaying their limit legally.

Cllr Ruth Vigor-Hedderly said: “This will provide peace of mind for those running late and in fear of receiving a fixed penalty notice, particularly if shopping in our local shops.   

"We operate to parking policies that are fair, consistent and transparent, and we welcome this initiative."

It is not yet clear how the new legislation will be implemented with Wycombe District Council’s Automatic Number Plate Recognition System car parks.

With drivers paying at the end of their stay, WDC says it does not know how the rules will be interpreted by government for automated systems.

Spokesman Catherine Spalton said: "We already support a ten minute grace period within our ANPR operated car parks, to allow for anyone using recycling facilities or who simply can’t find a space.

"We await official guidance from Mr Pickles about the ten minute grace period he recently announced in relation to our pay and display car parks. We expect to receive this once the new regulations are in force."

The controversial ANPR system is not the government's favoured method of parking enforcement, with Westminster preferring councils to issue statutory fixed penalty notices and not to fine motorists under contract law.

Under-Secretary of State for Transport Robert Goodwill wrote to authorities last year to warn that collecting fines in this way sould "go against the will of Parliament".