Hundreds of people have signed a petition calling on a council to introduce one hour's free parking in all of its car parks.

Dover District Council’s (DDC) administration says it will consider the campaign when it gets more signatures - but one Labour representative has accused the Tory lead petitioner of being “full of mischief” and seemingly comparing him to far-right rioters.

Cllr Daniel Friend (Con), who represents Sandwich on DDC, started the petition as part of the ‘Sandwich is Open’ tourism initiative.

The call for an hour of free parking on Labour-led DDC’s website reads: “This initiative will encourage more residents and visitors to frequent local businesses, thereby stimulating our local economy and fostering a vibrant community atmosphere.”

It argues the “petition for one hour of free parking in all council-owned car parks is vital for invigorating the local economy and supporting our community”.

It has now attracted 358 signatures and if it reaches 1,600 or more it will automatically be debated by the council’s overview and scrutiny committee and then the full council.

Cllr Friend said: “This petition is a positive step towards easing financial pressure, maximising convenience and accessibility and most importantly encouraging residents to shop locally when they can.”

He added the recent “inflation-busting” increases in parking fees by DDC have “harmed our local economy”.

DDC is soon to undertake a “full review” of all its parking prices in the wake of a climbdown earlier in the year.

In January the authority planned to cash in on car parks by introducing charges at four previously free sites, and increase hourly rates by 20p at nine car parks in Dover town.

DDC intended to bring in fees of £1.80 an hour for the bays at The Street in Ash, Eastry High Street, Wingham High Street and Reach Road in St Margaret's-at-Cliffe.

However, the council was subjected to over 200 letters of objection from residents of St Margaret’s alone, and ended up scrapping the plans for new charges, while keeping the hike to fees in Dover town centre.

At a cabinet meeting on January 15, cabinet member Cllr Charlotte Zosseder (Lab) proposed the administration instead undertakes a wholesale review of their parking policies, which was agreed.

“While we continue to face financial pressures, and need to make difficult decisions, it is important that we continue to listen to the needs of local communities and what people are telling us,” she told that meeting.

On the new petition, deputy leader of DDC Cllr Jamie Pout (Lab), said: “I’m aware of the petition and if it reaches the threshold will be discussed by the scrutiny committee.

“We are imminently undertaking a review of all of our parking services - and if the benefit of a currently un-costed scheme is suggested as an option we will of course give it our full consideration.”

However, one member of DDC’s administration was less open to the possibilities.

Cllr Michael Nee (Lab), chairman of the planning committee, commented on a Facebook post by Cllr Friend: “You never thought of that when your crowd ran the council?

“Full of mischief like the other right-wingers burning libraries,” he said, in reference to recent unrest and violent anti-immigration demonstrations around the country.

Cllr Nee concluded: “Step back, don’t inflame the situation as we don’t need escalations like this.”

When asked about these comments by KentOnline, he said “although it was clumsy it was a juxtaposition rather than a correlation”.

He added: “On free parking I’ve not had a chance to think about it because it’s not something I’m directly connected with on the council, it’s not come up on any council decision.”

Since being asked about it he has deleted his comment.