Tourist traffic jams and car park clashes could be cut dramatically this summer after the Gazette and Canterbury City Council revealed their plans for a trial park and ride scheme this week.

In a ground-breaking agreement, council chiefs have teamed up with the Gazette to run buses from their 80-space car park on the Estuary View Business Park, off the Thanet Way, into the town.

The council’s head of transportation and engineering, Viv Pritchard, said the council hoped the scheme would be successful in tackling the problems the town suffers from during summer weekends.

He said: "Whitstable is a very popular town for visitors, especially at the weekend, and we know that parking is limited which causes considerable congestion as people try and find a space.

"We have been trying to find a park and ride site for a number of years, but nothing has been suitable or available.

"However, the move of the KM Group, which owns the Gazette, into Whitstable has given us a new option, and we are very pleased to be working with them to provide a much-needed facility."

The park-and-ride site will be signposted from the Thanet Way and the council will be promoting it widely.

If it is a success, the council will consider expanding it.

Gazette editor Leo Whitlock said: "For years our paper, and these days our website www.kentishgazette.co.uk and our sister radio station kmfm, have been reporting on the gridlock that inflicts the town during the summer months.

"People have been desperately trying to find a solution and I am really pleased that by offering use of our car park, we can do something positive to help people in the town.

Mr Whitlock said it is increasingly important for a seaside town to encourage tourists to pay a visit and spend their money.

He said: "Queues and full car parks are more likely to put off visitors and this is the last thing we should be doing to help local business during a recession and credit crunch.

"Hopefully, by taking some of these cars off of the road, we free up the road for locals and make the town even more attractive to outsiders."