Hundreds of people are demanding a rethink on planned alterations to Church Stretton’s high street which they claim will ruin the charm of the town.

Campaigners have formed an action group and collected almost 800 signatures on a petition against a planned project to remove parking spaces from High Street so builders can widen the pavement.

CROS (Concerned Residents of Stretton) say by removing the on-street parking elderly and disabled residents would find it difficult to shop in the town.

But Shropshire Council bosses say the scheme will improve access to shops.

Helen Leathers, from CROS, said the decision to stop the plan now rested with Shropshire Council and they should listen to local concerns.

She said: “Peter Tunnicliffe has been a Church Stretton resident for 20 years. At 1pm yesterday he handed in a letter with objections from 792 people against Shropshire Council’s scheme to widen Church Stretton High Street pavement and withdraw on-street parking.

“So many people in town say they had never heard anything about the proposals. A significant proportion of respondents are elderly, disabled or Blue Badge holders – the very people we were told the scheme was designed for.

“Residents fear shops are likely to close and the charm of Church Stretton will be lost if scheme goes ahead.

“Shops are beginning to display “Save Our Parking” notices.

“Market stallholders say if the scheme goes ahead they will almost certainly cease coming. It is ironic that some of the funding for the scheme is coming from the Market Towns Regeneration Fund – what an own goal.”

Simon Jones, Shropshire Council’s cabinet member with responsibility for transport, said: “The council believes there is a need to improve the pedestrian space in the High Street.

“There are still approximately 80 free parking spaces in the town centre.”