HIGHWAY chiefs are being urged to think again over plans to axe up to 20 parking spaces in the centre of a Hampshire town.

Parking bays in Lymington High Street are due to be replaced with two bus stops after the town’s bus station closes next month.

Hampshire County Council, working with travel operator morebus, is proposing to create large lay-bys outside the Tesco store and Osbornes menswear shop.

But critics claim the loss of parking spaces will deter shoppers and damage businesses.

Now Lymington and Pennington Town Council has put forward an alternative scheme that would result in the proposed bus stops being placed further down the High Street or just around the corner in Gosport Street.

A council spokesman said: “This would serve the quay area and also act as an interchange for passengers arriving or departing from the railway station.

“We consider the best initial solution would be to use the existing layby in Gosport Street for buses coming into the town from the east.

Alternatively it may be possible to construct a bus lay-by by losing two spaces from the short-stay car park in Gosport Street.

“For buses coming in the opposite direction, a stop could be created at the bottom of the High Street, just beyond the entrance to the Catholic church.” Lymington and District Chamber of Commerce and Industry has already had talks with More Bus and the county council.

A spokesman said: “Our desire is to work with the relevant bodies to make sure all ideas and viewpoints are considered, including if we actually need more bus stops on the High Street.

“We put forward our views and had a walk around the High Street to view alternative sites and consider potential issues.

“morebus can and will exercise their right to place bus stops in Lymington as they see fit, but seem very willing to work with us and the town to find the best positions possible.

“We feel everything is being done to make sure that all considerations for the welfare of businesses, visitors and locals are being addressed.”

Plans to replace the bus station with bus stops in the High Street were revealed two months ago.

Speaking at the time the town mayor, Cllr Michael White, said: “The whole proposal is a disaster for Lymington.

“The High Street is already under pressure. We don’t need additional bus stops – the ones we’ve already got are perfectly adequate.

The deputy mayor, Cllr Ann Corbridge, added: “This crazy idea cannot be supported.