FURIOUS Marlborough traders packed on to a Town Council Zoom meeting on Monday to protest about plans which will reduce free parking in the town's High Street as part of pavement widening measures for social distancing.

The traders were angry at not being consulted on the plans which will see the temporary loss of quick stop parking outside Ask, Prezzo and Bunces as well as most of the pavement side spaces on the opposite side of the High Street.

"If everybody came shopping on their bicycles, that would be great, but that isn’t what happens,” said Susie Watson of Susie Watson Designs.

Others also felt the safety aspect had not been considered, as unsecured cars parked on the central area of the High Street have been known to roll down the steep camber and crash into cars parked along the pavement.

"If parking is removed and the area turned into seating then cars could roll in to them," said Elaine Ferry of Elaine's travel.

Wiltshire Councillor Stewart Dobson said Town Councillors ignored the recommendations from a working group where some traders did meet with Wiltshire Council Highways representative.

Mayor Mark Cooper said it was a temporary scheme, and that it could be changed at short notice, stressing the aim was to create a safe environment for everyone in the central area of the town.

The proposal was noted rather than voted on, and Councillors agreed comments made by traders and residents would be fed back to Wiltshire Council, with whom the final decision sits.