A consultation on controversial parking measures in Marlow is set to launch in the new year.

Buckinghamshire County Council (BCC) will launch the formal consultation in January, after businesses, residents and the town council hit out at the proposals, which could see people paying £1 per hour or 20p per 12 minutes to park in the High Street and surrounding roads.

The county council approved the plans to introduce the charges where there are currently “limited waiting bays”, and then withdrew them following the backlash.

Marlow mayor Cllr Jocelyn Towns led the fight against the plans earlier this month, encouraging people to sign a petition opposing the proposals.

BCC will now consult on a range of proposed changes to the existing on-street parking, which transport bosses say will provide around 30 additional short-term parking spaces and help fund “better enforcement” which they say will “provide a much greater turnover of parking in the key retail centre”.

A spokesman said: “Parking and the movement of vehicles around Marlow can be a problem for residents, businesses and visiting motorists alike, especially at busy time.

“The county council recognises there is a demand for more parking within the town centre and a better turnover of the existing street parking spaces.

“As such, we will be consulting on a range of proposed changes to the existing on-street parking in the town centre.

“These proposals aim to improve highway safety, reduce congestion and provide a better use of kerbside space for the economic vitality of the town.”

Full details of the proposals will be available on the ‘Have Your Say’ pages of the county council’s website in early December, before the formal consultation starts in January.

BCC will also host a drop-in session in January, which will give members of the public a chance to discuss the plans.

Deputy leader and cabinet member for transportation, Mark Shaw, said: “Marlow is a very special and attractive town, but it suffers from the effect of parking in the town centre.

“We feel our proposals offer the best chance of managing on-street parking for the benefit of businesses, residents and visitors alike.

“I know that parking can be a very emotive subject though, so I would encourage everyone to make their comments known through our Have Your Say web-pages, or by coming to talk to my officers at our drop-in event in January.”

Following the consultation, Cllr Shaw will make a formal decision on how best to proceed in February.