by Alan Watkins

awatkins@thekmgroup.co.uk

Car parking fees are set to double in Gravesend.

The decision could hit new year sales in the town, with shoppers seeing their four hour £1 flat fee raised to £2 by Gravesham councillors.

At the same time Saturday shoppers - who have enjoyed the rare luxury of free parking anywhere in the town at weekends will find they face weekday charges when they spend Saturdays in the town.

The proposals were made public hours after Sevenoaks councillors decided to introduce free parking on two Saturdays before Christmas. The councillors also agreed to scrap Saturday charges on December 10 and 17 in Swanley.

The Gravesham decision to increase prices is expected to be made on November 14 as the Labour administration struggles to balance the books on a council heading for a £600,000 overspend on a £13.5million annual budget.

If the council's accountants' figures are right, the rise could balance the books.

However councillors are being warned that across the country use of car parks has plummeted as the world financial crisis hits spending power.

Officers are recommending a number of changes which they consider should wipe out the forecast overspending by the end of the financial year.