Major changes are coming to a town centre car park - including overnight opening and fee alterations.

Ashford Borough Council's cabinet approved an overhaul of Edinburgh Road car park last week in a bid to increase usage and residential parking provision.

The site will now remain open 24/7 to facilitate the influx of residences proposed in the recent 'town centre reset' plan.

Cllr Peter Feacey (Con), portfolio holder for community safety and wellbeing, said: “As we focus on the transformation of our town centre and the changing ways in which people use it we need to consider a multitude of factors, including parking provision.

“By expanding the opening hours and parking options available at Edinburgh Road car park, we can offer a better provision for Ashford’s residents, visitors and businesses as we look ahead to the town’s regeneration.”

Also in response to this, the car park's top two floors will be used solely by residents with new residential season tickets which will cost £594 per year - equal to £1.62 per day.

According to a council report, these tickets will be "for all new housing developments which do not qualify for on street permits", and will be limited to "one permit per household only to be used in this car park, and restricted to parking on the top two floors only".

The report also highlights the current cost of an annual season ticket for town centre car parks is £836.

It should be noted that resident parking permits for the town centre's zone B are currently £55 for the year.

Another change is that - in an effort to promote the idea of cashless parking - users of the RingGo parking app will have reduced charges.

The hourly rate would be £1 instead of the £1.20 being paid for the pay and display method.

Furthermore, the overnight charge would be £2 for RingGo users and £2.40 for those using the traditional method.

The council's report states that this will reduce outgoings incurred by processing coins.

Included in the overhaul will be increased security measures to combat frequent anti-social behaviour in the Edinburgh Road facility.

The stairwell was described by a resident last year as a "drug den", and in March yobs allegedly threw bricks and a bike from the multi-storey car park.

One issue that is still being considered is how to deploy more 24-hour CCTV coverage, with a council spokesman saying in June 2019: "Security measures have been reviewed but it is considered likely that any new CCTV system could be vandalised due to the low level of the ceilings."

Anti-social behaviour has been touted as one reason lifts won't operate 24/7, alongside more frequent breakdowns and more maintenance.

The resident permits, lowered RingGo charges and around-the-clock availability are expected to be implemented by the spring.

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