Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council say there will be a free 30 minute slot for people to do their shopping, but some businesses believe the fee rise will lead to less footfall.
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00:00 Parking charges are going up in Aylesford and Larkfield car parks, and Tonbridge and
00:05 Morling Borough Council say it's to save money.
00:09 The changes will bring them into line with the rest of the borough, but local businesses
00:13 say it will stop people from visiting the town.
00:16 I think it's a real shame to be honest.
00:18 It's a, you know, so quaint, quiet village and I think it's going to have a real detrimental
00:23 impact on bringing trade into the village from outside.
00:28 You know, one of our USPs has always been that there is free parking nearby, which helps
00:33 encourage people to come to Aylesford rather than going to Maidstone or, you know, your
00:38 bigger shopping centres.
00:40 And unfortunately now that isn't going to be the case anymore where they can park for
00:43 free.
00:44 Martin Square car park was built solely for the shops and the residents.
00:54 It was never meant to be charged.
00:56 It always has been free, whereas the likes of West Morling and Aylesford, they are having
01:04 quite a lot of money spent on their car parks, whereas this has always been free from the
01:13 day they built it.
01:15 Councillors also approved charges for some on-street parking in West Morling and more
01:20 permit-only parking in Tonbridge.
01:24 Residents from both Aylesford and Larkfield have expressed their concerns with the upcoming
01:28 cost.
01:29 Even though Tonbridge and Morling Borough Council have promised to allow for 30 minutes
01:33 of free parking, a reduction in the cost of resident permits and 30 additional spaces
01:39 to be created here in Martin Square, many say that this still doesn't go far enough.
01:44 It's definitely not ideal.
01:46 I mean, I can't really understand the justification for the charges.
01:51 I think it's a terrible shame because I believe the shops will suffer.
01:56 Actually come to the library and have to pay is something else, but mum lives very close
01:59 by and she has early onset Alzheimer's.
02:01 I probably won't come to Martin Square if I need to pop to get something.
02:04 I probably wouldn't come here, so it will impact the local shops.
02:08 In a statement, Tonbridge and Morling Borough Council said, "These changes are designed
02:13 to ensure that the car parks are well maintained and that residents and people visiting can
02:19 find a space."
02:21 Free parking has seen many of the spaces taken up by cars parked all day, which restricts
02:28 access for visitors.
02:29 When the proposals were discussed, it was agreed to allow half an hour's free parking
02:34 at Martin Square so people making quick trips to the shops don't need to pay.
02:39 Perhaps the days of free parking are over, with mounting costs and increasing overheads
02:45 for local councils.
02:47 But residents and businesses say that they too won't be able to afford the changes.
02:53 Henry Luck for CAME TV in Aylesford.