Plans for a town centre one-way system that would slash parking spaces on a “problem road” will go to a consultation.

At a planning committee meeting on Monday, October 21, Marlborough Town Council resolved to consult residents and businesses on plans for The Parade.

Designs have been put forward as part of a scheme to turn the busy road, just off the High Street, into a partially one-way system.

This is designed to tackle congestion in the area, with motorists struggling to navigate the narrow road in both directions.

The plan would prevent traffic travelling uphill past The Lamb Inn and includes amended road markings, traffic islands, signage, and the removal of parking spaces at several points along the road.

Town clerk Richard Spencer-Williams confirmed interested parties would be consulted on the proposal by December, before the planning committee feeds back to Wiltshire Council’s Local Highways and Footways Improvement Group.

READ MORE: Calls for 20mph limit and parking restrictions on busy road into town

Traffic on The ParadeTraffic on The Parade (Image: Newsquest) He said: “The only real decision that’s been made is that there will be some kind of consultation before we respond to Wiltshire Council.

“The plans will impact a lot of people, but it could also benefit a lot of people who require access to The Parade, so we want everyone to be aware of it and have their say.

“People will have a chance to voice their opinions and that will go back to the planning committee.

“There’s no clear position on it from the town council, it’s about consulting on a tricky piece of highway that clearly needs a solution.”

If the scheme goes ahead as proposed, no waiting restrictions would be implemented at points along The Parade while another section currently offering two hours of parking would be changed to loading only.

When the plans were first revealed last year, multiple businesses on the street voiced concerns about any potential changes to parking in the area.

At the time, Izzy Parmenper who worked at The Lamb Inn, said: “I don’t drive, but I can imagine it could cause chaos around the Parade as I think parking could be a real problem for us.

“I can imagine that if we had a one-way system it would make the whole situation for people visiting the town even more difficult trying to park and get to us.”

But Cllr Nicholas Fogg believed the plans would make the area “more enjoyable.”

He added: “Businesses on the Parade will be consulted before any formal decision is made.

“But speaking personally, I do think it would work very well.

“I think it will make the Parade more enjoyable if there was less through traffic.”