SHOPKEEPERS say that new parking restrictions will turn Whitstable into a commercial wasteland.

The measures are designed to help improve traffic flow along Oxford Street and the High Street and relieve congestion in some of the town centre back streets.

But the secretary of the town's chamber of commerce, Dickie Bird, said: "This is the death knell for Whitstable."

The Whitstable Society believes the measures are required to save the town from choking and ensure tourists return.

Double yellow lines will be painted along the length of Oxford Street and residents' permits and one-hour parking restrictions will be imposed on streets around the town centre over the next year. The changes were agreed at Monday's meeting of the city council's highways committee.

Mr Bird said office staff would use up the long-stay car parks. One-hour spaces aimed at shoppers would remain empty because shopping in one hour was impossible.

Roy Gooderson, of RG Electronics, said: "The overall trading aspect of the town, but especially Oxford Street, is going to be drastically affected."

He was concerned parking problems would be transferred to Sydenham Street and other areas just outside the plan. and livid that few shopkeepers appeared to have known anything about the consultation.

Whitstable Society chairman Eddie Oldfield said Whitstable was congested with traffic and did not have enough car parks. If something was not done soon the town's prosperity might be affected.

HERNE BAY seafront businesses say parking restrictions there will hit trade.

A petition signed by 450 people was not enough to deter members of the highways sub-committee from putting a two-hour limit on spaces between Pier Pavilion and Lane End.

Paul Mason, manager of Moss Pharmacy in Station Road, said his business and customers would suffer.

"The council is supposed to be helping businesses in Herne Bay, but this is a kick in the teeth," he said.