Thanet council leader Cllr Sandy Ezekiel, surrounded by Thanet business representatives, uses a parking meter in the High Street, Broadstairs

by Martin Jefferies

New parking charges allowing drivers to pay per minute is being trialled in five Thanet high streets.

Shoppers will be required to pay a minimum charge of 20p for 10 minutes and can extend their stay up to a maximum of two hours at a cost of 1.5p per minute.

Although the minimum charge is 30p less than previous short stay rates, a two-hour stay will cost £1.85 - nearly 10 per cent more than the old charge of £1.70.

Cllr Sandy Ezekiel, leader of Thanet council, said: "Many people think that free parking would be the answer, but we aren't in a position to offer that. I feel that this is the next best thing and I welcome feedback from everyone on how this option works for them."

The new set of fees - known as 'linear charging' - will be introduced in Cavendish Street, Ramsgate; Northdown Road, Cliftonville; High Street, Margate; Marine Drive, Margate; Belvedere Road, Broadstairs; High Street, Broadstairs; Charlotte Street, Broadstairs; and Station Road, Birchington.

The scheme, which was launched on Monday, is being trialled after research by the Broadstairs and St Peter's Chamber of Commerce into methods used elsewhere in the UK.