A survey has been launched to help settle a row over car parking charges in Tring's town centre.
Councillors have sent out a questionnaire seeking residents' views on charges and whether they support the first free hour.
It comes after members of the town's chamber of commerce voted at a recent AGM to request the free hour is scrapped and mot
orists are charged 50p for the first two hours instead.
At the moment drivers can park for free during the first hour. It then costs 50p for up to two hours, 70p for two to three hours and £1 for up to four hours.
Some shopkeepers have blamed the waning High Street on the first free hour. They believe visitors do their essential shopping like food and banking and then do not have time to browse other stores before the hour runs out.
However, Tring Town Council has always supported retaining the free hour.
Mayor Mike James said: "We have had to fight long and hard for the free hour of parking. I think it would be a disaster for local businesses if it went. It would be the death of the High Street."
Liberal Democrats have issued the survey so that views can be taken into consideration when parking charges are reviewed by Dacorum Borough Council later this year.
It asks residents to pick from three options - keeping the free hour, charging 50p for up to two hours or 30p for one hour and 50p for two hours.
The responses will be shared with the town council, which will be asked for its views by the borough council.
Town Councillor Nick Hollinghurst said: "Let's see what the people who live and shop here actually want.
"When the survey results come in we should then have some clear evidence to discuss with the borough, rather than just unquantified anecdote and feeling."
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