Spalding town centre traders are appealing to shoppers to help them fight plans to cut free on-street parking spaces

Worried traders are calling on the public to help them fight plans that could drastically cut free on-street parking in Spalding town centre.

The official consultation into Lincolnshire County Council’s plan for an ‘active travel zone’ in the town comes to an end on Sunday.

The council has revealed that about 210 people have already officially lodged their views on the Spalding scheme - and retailers want as many people as possible to help them to fight the plans.

If passed, it would involve the removal of on-street parking in Broad Street, The Crescent, Sheep Market and Double Street to make way for pedestrians and cyclists.

It would also see the one-way system in The Crescent extended to Sheep Market.

Some traders fear that opposition to the plans on social media might not have translated into formal responses that will be taken into account by the council.

Darren Sutton, chairman of Spalding Town Retailers Association, said: “It would effect a lot of people and businesses.

“I would ask anyone, if they ever come shopping in Spalding, to put their comments down.

“I think they’ve got to see that it’s probably not the best option for Spalding at the moment.

“Hopefully they will see a bit of common sense and knock it on the head.”

Mr Sutton has labelled the plans a ‘stab in the back’ and feels that it could choke off any positive momentum that businesses have been able to build since reopening last month.

He said: “We have had a good three weeks or so - with a good amount of people returning.

“This would put people off coming to town.

“If people want to nip into shops of pick something up quickly that’s going to stop.”

The county council was awarded £799,900 from the Government to look into ways to encourage more people to opt to walk or cycle.

Spalding’s is one of eight schemes around the county that could get the cash - and any measures would be introduced on a trial basis for a period of up to 18 months.

A county council spokesman said: “The consultation is open until Sunday 16 May, so residents and local organisations are still encouraged to let us know their views on the proposals.

“Only those schemes – or parts of schemes – with public support will go ahead, so please let us know which elements you think will or won’t work in your area.”

The spokesman said the council did not want to reveal how many of the 210 Spalding responses were in favour of the scheme so that it did not prevent new people from coming forward and having their say.

Anyone who wants to lodge their views as part of the consultation should visit https://www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/directory-record/66026/active-travel-fund-community-engagement