Marlow residents are being urged to sign an online petition calling for controversial parking plans for the High Street to be scrapped.

Mayor Jocelyn Towns slammed the proposals, saying they would “severely damage” the “vibrancy” of the town.

More than 1,800 people have signed the ePetition so far, which was launched jointly by Marlow Town Council, Marlow Chamber of Trade and Commerce and The Marlow Society.

It comes after residents and businesses widely condemned the plans by Bucks County Council (BCC), who 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.

Cllr Towns said: “Bucks County Council has not changed its mind regarding its proposal to install parking meters in central Marlow.

“The proposal failed to follow due process, which states that a full consultation should be done in advance, so they are now issuing a consultation on paid-for parking in Marlow High Street and surrounding roads.

“It is still BCC’s intention to put parking meters in Marlow, despite the fact that the Town Council, Marlow Chamber of Trade and The Marlow Society are totally against the plan.

“We know from the experience of other towns that this move would severely damage the vibrancy of the town, causing problems for retailers and other businesses as well as residents and visitors.

“We’re asking everyone who cares about this town to sign the petition.”

More than 5,000 names are needed by November 14 for the issue to be considered. To sign, visit https://democracy.buckscc.gov.uk/mgEPetitionDisplay.aspx?ID=4302&RPID=82844323&HPID=82844323.