Plans to make the Experimental Traffic Regulation Order permanent have been abandoned after local opposition.
Buckinghamshire Council have confirmed that the scheme will not be renewed after it expired on Friday (April 17th). It comes after 1,325 residents, traders and businesses objected to plans to extend the order, saying it was 'poorly evidenced, never fully implemented and damaging to the town centre'.
Campaigners also claimed it was a "sham experiment", with key elements like proper signage and the opening of Market Square never implemented, making the scheme's impact impossible to judge fairly.
Liberal Democrat councillors at both Town and Buckinghamshire Council level worked with the community to formally challenge the decision‑making process, which they say forced the Conservative administration 'to confront what opponents described as a deeply flawed consultation process that downplayed widespread opposition'.
Councillor Alan Bacon, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group on Chesham Town Council, said:
"What made the difference here was people coming together — shopkeepers, residents and civic groups — all raising the same issues. Our role was to work alongside them and ensure those concerns were properly scrutinised at Bucks Council. This decision shows that when communities organise and are supported by determined opposition, unjustified plans can be stopped. Chesham has won today because Chesham spoke with one voice."
Cllr Susan Morgan, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group on Buckinghamshire Council, added:
"This outcome belongs to the Chesham community. Local business people, residents and community groups spoke up clearly and consistently, and we worked with them to ensure those voices could not be overlooked. By challenging the decision through the council's formal processes, we brought into focus what campaigners had been saying all along: that this scheme was not supported by evidence and could not justify being made permanent."
Liberal Democrats say that the decision 'must now serve as a clear lesson for future town‑centre schemes across Buckinghamshire, calling for genuine engagement, properly implemented trials and evidence‑led decision‑making'.
The High Street will now begin reverting to its original restrictions.
Road closure and two-way lights to cause disruption in Aylesbury this weekend
New Funding Boost for SEND Support in Bucks
New images of missing Aylesbury man
Council prosecutes three local shopkeepers in crackdown on trading standards offences
Vandals damage equipment worth more than £11,000 in Princes Risborough Park
Live Facial Recognition vans in Aylesbury
Bucks Mind offering fully funded Mental Health First Aid training
Aylesbury United Legends Day
