Controversial plans to spend £1.2m on a Market Place revamp caused unease among cyclists, market traders, retailers, pub landlords, war veterans, taxi drivers and disabled groups when announced by the former Lib Dem administration in March.

However, Newbury.net had been revealing aspects of the scheme for months before that.

The Tory-run authority will now take views from a sample of 4,000 locals, along with a series of special meetings to iron out the concerns of businesses and pressure groups. Finally, online questionnaires will be available for other members of the public to air their views.

Only one in three who responded to a previous consultation were in favour, with many claiming it was a “waste of money”.

Councillor Emma Webster said: "There is clear public concern about the future of Market Place. Many welcomed the plans but an equal number have raised a series of very relevant issues. What we need now is an extensive, representative survey that will tell us exactly what people want. Only then will we be able to make a fully-informed decision about the future of this all-important focal point of the town."

The exercise will take place between July and September, meaning that there will not be time to do the work until the next financial year. This means the planned VE Day parade on July 10 can go ahead unhindered.