Motorists using Swale’s most popular car parks could soon be charged a premium as the council looks to rake in much-needed cash

Currently, drivers pay £1.30 an hour – one of the cheapest rates in Kent – at all short-stay sites across Faversham, Sittingbourne and the Isle of Sheppey.

But the authority is considering a sliding scale of fees to boost revenue in the busiest car parks and push people looking to save money to those that are under-used.

Bosses say it will “help balance the increasing costs of operating and maintaining the car parks while giving residents more choice on payment options”.

But traders are fearful the proposals in the draft parking policy, which has been put out to public consultation, could drive customers away.

Nathan Iliffe, of the newly formed Faversham Association of Businesses, runs Iliffe and Iliffe estate agents in the town and says the group will be preparing a robust response to the consultation.

“We haven’t had a chance to go over the draft proposals in detail yet but my initial thoughts are that we cannot afford any more changes that will negatively impact the economy of the town or residents,” he said.

Swale was the only authority across Kent to lose money on its car parking operations between 2017 and 2022, recording a £220,702 deficit – but it did have a £1.2 million surplus last year.

In comparison, Ashford Borough Council made £1.6 million from similar revenue across the same five-year period, while Canterbury dwarfed all local authorities with a surplus of almost £18 million.

But it is unlikely Swale chiefs will be looking to introduce rates as high as those charged in the cathedral city, where motorists could soon be forking out £3.70 an hour.

The draft policy says the authority could consider “charging different rates per hour depending on the location, popularity and convenience of car parks”.

“It means the most popular car parks could be more expensive which will provide an incentive for people to use the less popular ones,” it adds.

“Daytime charges are currently offered in period bands, but overnight, fixed-priced charging can be considered.

“This will help balance the increasing costs of operating and maintaining the car parks while giving residents more choice of payment options.”

The document also proposes the potential of introducing charges at some of the 19 car parks across Swale that are currently free to use.

Cllr Richard Palmer, who chairs the borough’s Community Committee, which is proposing the changes, says the current situation is “unsustainable” for the authority.

But he cautions: “What we have to be wary of is the unintentional consequences of changing fees and displacing traffic.

“That is where the public can help in perhaps identifying something that we have not.”

Cllr Palmer insists any fee increases would be “reasonable”.

“Of course, no one wants to pay more but there are situations when fees [in free car parks] might work,” he said,

“For example, some of our free car parks are filled with commuters who park there and walk to the station. It means there’s no room for someone wanting to visit the shops, which is not good for them or traders.

“We also need to be wary of implementing charges that drive vehicles to park in residential streets.”

Cllr Palmer suggests an increase of 10% in revenue from car parking is the least needed to keep pace with inflation.

But a worried Mr Iliffe fears the impact of any more costs to motorists, who in April were hit by a decision to axe free parking between 6pm and midnight.

“Traders should not have to suffer because Swale Borough Council has mismanaged its parking budget,” he added.

“What we want to see is something which supports business, not hinders it.”

A public consultation on the draft policy started yesterday and will run until January 2.