Drivers are outraged after car parking charges came into force overnight in Swanley town centre.

Pay and display machines and signs were said to have been placed without warning last week in car parks which serve two doctors’ surgeries, as well as the Wilkinson and Aldi stores.

Drivers who have enjoyed free parking at the Swanley Shopping Centre sites will now be charged 50p for an hour, £2 for three hours and £3 for all day parking.

Swanley Town Council was unaware of the decision by the owners of the privately-run car parks to introduce the fees, which operate around the clock, seven days a week and also apply to holders of the disabled Blue Badge scheme.

Sevenoaks MP Michael Fallon waded into the row and called for the landowner to delay the charges for a full consultation.

Fears are now mounting that the decision will have a knock-on effect to traders in the town.

Disabled mum-of-three Debbie Stiff, of Cherry Avenue, Swanley, is angry that Blue Badge holders are not exempt from the charges.

She has to use a mobility car and wheelchair after suffering six strokes which left her paralysed down her left-hand side.

Under the government-backed Blue Badge scheme, motorists with mobility problems are usually exempt from parking charges.

The permits are issued by Kent County Council at a cost of £10. Fees in private car parks are the decision of the owners.

Mrs Stiff said: “There are a lot of disabled people who have already paid £10 for a blue badge so why can’t we park for free? I think it’s disgusting.”

“I had my first stroke at the age of 33 and have to use a wheelchair. This just makes it even harder for people who are disabled. It is not fair.

“I know companies have got to make their money but it is wrong. I don’t work and I get my disability living allowance and a mobility car which my husband drives. But this feels like disabled drivers are being penalised for wanting to shop or see their doctor.”

The 44-year-old also criticised the positioning of the one pay-and-display machine in the car park near The Cedars doctors’ surgery in Nightingale Way.

“It’s nowhere near the disabled bays. It doesn’t make sense.”

Another resident, Patricia Fryer, is concerned about the cost to shop, and medical staff who will now have to pay £60 a month to use the car parks on a daily basis.

The 82-year-old lives with her 83-year-old husband, Donald, in Swanley and they are patients at The Oaks surgery, also in Nightingale Way.

Mrs Fryer, who is recovering from cancer, branded the new charges as a way for the landowners to “make a quick buck”. She is also concerned doctors will face more patient call-outs.

“We are in our 80s and my husband cannot walk and has Alzheimer’s.

“I’m sure these charges will mean doctors are going to get more calls to go to see patients because they won’t want to go to the surgery and pay to park. Doctors and nurses do enough hard work as it is.”

According to the new signs, Swanley Shopping Centre car parks are managed by County Car Parks (CCP). Signs state the company is a member of the British Parking Association (BPA).

However, BPA said this was not the case. Head of public affairs David Smith said: “We have no record of them as a BPA member and as a result they do not follow our code of practice for parking on private land.”

All attempts to contact CCP were unsuccessful. The only available telephone number was for a payment and appeal line.

A spokesman for Swanley Shopping Centre managing agent Cushman & Wakefield said: “All of the tenants were notified of these changes in advance.

“County Car Parks is managing the car park and has put in place a competitive charging regime.

“All parties are confident this will lead to more appropriate use of the car park.”