A petition has been launched calling on a local authority to reverse recent parking restrictions which are threatening the survival of a popular farmers’ market.

More than 500 people have signed the online petition since it was created, calling on Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council (TMBC) to U-turn on its decision to impose a four-hour limit on parking in West Malling.

The town had enjoyed a flourishing farmers’ market on the fourth Sunday of every month, but since the new restriction was announced, a quarter of the stallholders have pulled out.

The traders generally have three places to park: in the Ryarsh Lane car park opposite The Bull pub, in the on-street parking bays in the High Street, and a small number have been able to park within the section of road that is closed to traffic when the market takes place.

But the council has just introduced Sunday charges at Ryarsh Lane car park and limited the stay to four hours, which traders say does not give them long enough to set up at 7am and pack up at 1.30pm.

The petition was started by the three borough councillors, Trudy Dean, Michelle Tatton and Roger Roud, who represent East Malling, West Malling and Offham ward.

Cllr Dean said: “It is not that the traders wouldn’t be prepared to pay for five or six hours, but that they can’t stay past four without risking getting a ticket.”

The three ward councillors, who are all Liberal Democrats, had opposed the new restriction when it was brought in by the Conservative administration, along with a host of other changes across the borough, including charging for parking for the first time in the two Bailey Bridge car parks in Aylesford, at Martin Square in Larkfield, charging for parking on Sundays and extending the charging period until 8pm every evening.

A public consultation conducted by the borough council ahead of the new charges that came into effect on August 19 showed that 94% of people objected to the changes in West Malling.

At the time, Cllr Matt Boughton, the Conservative leader of the council, dismissed the public’s response, saying “You don’t see turkeys voting for Christmas and people don’t necessarily want to pay more (for parking).”

A second stage of parking restrictions is yet to come in West Malling. The council is in the process of purchasing parking meters to put in the High Street, so that it can start charging for parking there too.

Cllr Dean said: “We fear when this happens there will be another wave of traders pulling out.”

“West Malling Farmers Market would celebrate its 25th anniversary next year. It has been a great success, well attended and has won many awards.

“But the company that runs the market bears the cost of paying for the road closure and there’s a critical mass - a number of stallholders - which if they fall below that would mean it was no longer viable.”

The council has promised to review all the recent changes in a year’s time, but has shown no sign of reversing its decision in the short term.

Cllr Dean said: “They jolly well better. We could have no market left in a year’s time.”

She added: “I don’t think the administration appreciated just what the effects would be, even though we warned them.

“Hopefully, once they see the level of upset they have caused, perhaps the penny will drop.”

Should the number signing the petition reach 1,500, the council will be obliged, under its constitution, to debate the matter again.

Many people who have signed the petition have also left comments.

Richard Nelson said: “Farmers markets are a rural tradition that needs to be preserved. They encourage small businesses and local enterprises while providing environmentally friendly produce for the local community.

Ernest Crowhurst said: “West Malling is a market town, with a market square, and should be enabled to continue the tradition.”

A review in 12 months’ time will be too late

Kate Moore observed: “The Farmers' market is so important, not just for the locals who use it, but of course the farmers.

“If this closes, it will be another opportunity for supermarkets to control our food supply, and that will NOT be in our best interests at all.”

Cherry Palmer said: “ Our town will die with these restrictions, a review in 12 months will be too late.”

Sandra Woodfall is the manger of West Malling farmers market. She said: “The market is open to the public for four hours between 9.30am and 1.30pm, but traders need time to set up before the market and pack away after - longer than the four hours maximum currently in place

“Introducing Sunday parking charges and extending the parking charges later into the evening could have a detrimental impact for all the West Malling businesses.

“Our farmers market offers a great service to the local community and attracts people to West Malling not only for the farmers market, but also the other shops and businesses.

“We are the current Gold Award holder of the Food and Drink Market Category of the Taste of Kent Award and have been recognized nationally too. It is an accredited Real Farmers Market working to national standards. Started in June 2000 it is one of the longest-running farmers markets in Kent.

“At a time when so many people are wishing to shop local, eat seasonal and support local small businesses real farmers markets provide this and so much more. We really do hope that a solution can be found to the parking situation soon.”

Cllr Boughton said: “Some traders at West Malling farmers market park inside the road closure, where they do not have to pay to park. The Ryarsh Lane car park is also available for customers from outside the town who wish to visit the farmers market.

“We are keen to encourage people to support the farmers market and continue our strong work in backing West Malling High Street.

“Business permits are available from the Ryarsh Lane car park for businesses to use and we have recently made more available by removing the waiting list.

“Given that traders already have parking available in the road closure, as they have always done, we will not be making any changes to this policy immediately.

“As with all parking policies we will review these next year after any new changes have had a number of months to settle in.”

The next West Malling farmers market is on October 27.