Council chiefs today said they were standing by their decision to scrap on-street parking in High Street in Church Stretton.

Campaigners from Concerned Residents of Stretton handed in a petition to Shropshire Council on Friday signed by almost 800 people calling for the decision to be reconsidered.

Plans would see about eight parking spaces removed from High Street so the pavement can be widened.

The plans will also see parking spaces surrounding the market square patrolled by ticket inspectors.

Shropshire Council today said the plans had gone through an extensive consultation process and were key to the town’s future.

Councillor Simon Jones, the 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.

“Representations were made from the Chamber of Trade during the consultation, objecting to the loss of parking.

“However, both Church Stretton Town Council and Shropshire Council have considered on balance that a wider pavement has local support, and will benefit people in the town.”

Town campaigners say they will continue to fight the plans claiming another petition assembled in 2010 collected more than 1,000 signatures against similar proposals.

Helen Leathers, from CROS, said the plans had been decided by the minority and did not represent the true feelings of people in Church Stretton.

She said: “Market traders, residents and shopkeepers are against the changes. The council should listen to us.”

‘Save Our Parking’ posters are being stuck in shop windows and a similar banner has been unveiled across Sandford Avenue.

Last week residents handed in a petition at Shirehall in Shrewsbury requesting a rethink over the plans.

Residents say by removing the on-street parking elderly and disabled residents would find it difficult to shop in the town.

However, Shropshire Council bosses say the scheme will improve access to shops by improving the areas for pedestrians.

And they say there will still be considerable free parking available in the town.