A strategy document designed to improve parking in Deal has been branded “uninspiring” by the chairman of Deal and Walmer’s chamber for trade.

Peter Jull said he spent 20 minutes going through the Dover District Council document and said his members will need to submit their comments.

They will then be fed back to the council, which is now consulting over the report.

Mr Jull said: “I was slightly disappointed at the lack of ideas within it.

“Hopefully the council can consider it value for money.

“In regards to the extension of restricted parking zones, I would be unhappy if they further restricted the parking for the town centre.

“It is uninspiring in one word because it is not coming up with specific solutions.”

JMP Consultants gathered the data and compiled the document.

Kent county, Dover district and Deal town councillor Mike Eddy said it is “crucial” to find solutions to “serious parking problems” in Deal.

He said it was high time Dover District Council looked into ways of improving it.

Last week the Mercury reported the release of a parking strategy document, which highlighted that car parks were reaching capacity on Saturdays.

The document details proposals to manage parking, given that planned development is causing the town to grow by 7%.

The report said: “While overall car parking utilisation varies across the week and year, there are definite peak periods at the weekends and specifically on special event days, where total parking capacity is stretched.

“It is clear from the collated evidence base that Deal requires a parking strategy that seeks to manage the finite car parking provision that is available within the core town centre in a manner that supports economic prosperity both now and into the future.”

As part of the review, more off-street parking is planned to cope with new developments, although specific locations have not been identified.

It also aims to keep people in the town for longer by introducing long-stay car parking.

With 900 off-street and 500 on-street spaces available, it has been confirmed that there are enough gaps to accommodate people during the week.

Cllr Eddy, of St Richard’s Road, said: “It is high time that Dover District Council addressed the parking situation in all the towns across the district and this consultation is important to everyone who uses Deal town centre.

“There are serious parking problems in Deal at certain times and in certain places, and it is crucial that we try to find solutions”.

There is a six-week window where people and groups can supply their comments before the council begins making recommendations. To view the report, visit dover.gov.uk