New parking restrictions that threatened the future of a treasured farmers’ market will be eased following a council U-turn.

In March last year, Tonbridge and Malling council agreed a raft of changes to both on-street and off-street parking that came into force in many areas across the borough last August.

Among those places affected was West Malling, where a maximum stay of four hours was imposed in all the public car parks.

That caused serious problems for the town’s monthly market, because although the market itself runs for only four hours, from 9.30am until 1.30pm, some traders need to stay up for double that length of time in order to set up their stalls and dismantle them afterwards.

The market is held in Market Square in the High Street, reflecting the historic nature of the event. West Malling was first granted a Royal charter to hold a market in 1103, making it the ninth oldest in the country.

In its modern guise as a farmers’ market, it has been running since 2000 and is celebrating its silver jubilee this year.

Local ward councillors Trudy Dean, Roger Roud and Michelle Tatton all spoke against the restriction on parking hours before they were introduced by the Conservative administration last year.

At the time, they were ignored, but subsequently, they organised a petition that garnered 2,421 signatures, well over the 1,500-signature threshold required to force the council to debate the matter again at a cabinet meeting on Tuesday(01).

Cllr Dean (Lib Dem) told the meeting: “Some of the West Malling stallholders also trade at the Tonbridge Market. But there, they can buy all the extra parking time they need. Why is there a difference?”

Cllr Roud (Lib Dem) said: “I’ve spoken to all the traders. None were against paying the parking charge. They are happy to pay, but they need more than four hours. Some arrive at 7am to set up.

“It’s a great market with a host of products. This needs looking at with a little more sympathy.”

Since the restriction was introduced, 10 traders have already withdrawn from the market.

The petitioners pointed out that organisers of other community events such as the Christmas Lights switch-on and the Remembrance Parade would also be hit by the four-hour limit.

Other councillors supported the petition. Cllr Mark Hood (Green) said: “Enabling traders to have some kind of permit should not be beyond our capability.”

Council leader Matt Boughton (Con) declared: “We try to be a cabinet that listens to the people,” and the change was then approved unanimously.

However, it will mean that officers have to publish a variation to their Off-Street Parking Order, which requires a 21-day public consultation period, so the change is not going to happen immediately.

In addition, Robert Styles, the director of street scene, said: “We do have 175 locations on a list waiting for variations, so I can’t give a date.”

After the meeting, Cllr Dean said: "We are very proud of our historic market town, and it's fantastic that once again local people have given it their support so it has a secure future.

“So thank you to all those who signed the petition. We can now get on and celebrate the 25th anniversary."

Sandra Woodfall, who runs the market with her husband John, said: “We would like to thank everyone for continuing to support the market, which is one of the longest-running farmers’ markets in Kent.

“It is an accredited Real Farmers’ Market working to national standards and is a well-recognised farmers market.

“Do come and visit us on the fourth Sunday of every month.”

The next market will be on Sunday, April 27, between 9.30am and 1.30am.