Shop owners, car drivers, campaigners and politicians have all welcomed the decision to scrap plans to introduce on-street parking charges across Surrey.

The new leader of Surrey County Council, Conservative Councillor David Hodge made the announcement on Tuesday, just weeks after the resignation of former leader Dr Andrew Povey.

SCC had planned to introduce 3,500 on-street parking spaces across the county from next month to raise £2.5m a year but faced overwhelming opposition from residents who felt it would kill small shopping parades.

A petition, signed by 26,000 residents, was delivered to county Hall in May calling for its abandonment.

Lauren Egglestone, who runs Cafe Metro in the Upper High Street in Epsom, said: "I think common sense has prevailed.

"It can only be better for small businesses because no one was going to stop for a newspaper or sandwich if they had to pay a pound to do so.

"It’s good not just in terms of our customers but for our deliveries."

Epsom Lib Dems, Residents and Conservatives have all welcomed the decision and all three parties claimed their campaigning played an important role in the county council's u-turn.

Councillor Julie Morris, leader of Epsom Liberal Democrats, said: "One of the problems right the way through was the refusal of the county council to acknowledge the strength of public feeling and their refusal to debate properly.

"It does seem as though the new leader has taken a different stance on this and hopefully is going to be in the future much more engaged with public opinion."

Residents Association Councillor and Surrey County Councillor for Epsom and Ewell North, Eber Kington, said: "The policy changed but there was no apology for the stress, worry and inconvenience caused to local shops, residents and local businesses.

"I think residents and business owners are going to feel as much annoyed as they are relieved.

"Annoyed that they have had the stress of having to fight this, and relieved that now it appears to be over.

"It was a huge waste in terms of officer’s time, which is money, in report writing and the huge consultation exercise they have had to go through."

Councillor Darren Dale, leader of Epsom Conservatives, said: "I appreciate those comments from people who say this could have been done from day one.

"While it may have seemed a good idea on a commercial basis, without going and finding out people’s concerns road by road, area by area, you are never going to find out what the reaction was.

"I’m glad they finally listened to residents.

"All those efforts have not been for nothing and it has made a different.

"They do actually listen and people will pay attention to what people say."