Residents on a housing development near Snodland say they may have to move out after Tonbridge and Malling council warned of its intention to enforce parking restrictions.

Few householders at the Holborough Lakes development would deny there are sometimes problems with people parking inconsiderately and potentially blocking the way for other road users.

But they say that is a symptom of the under-lying problem - there are simply not enough parking spaces.

To enforce the yellow lines, they argue, will only worsen the problem.

Tonbridge and Malling council wrote to householders last week to warn that its parking officers would begin patrols and would be issuing "one-time" warning letters.

Then from September 1, anyone caught on the double yellow lines will receive a penalty charge of up to £70.

The roads affected are those "adopted" by KCC, which is now the majority of roads on the estate, including Linnett Road, Poynder Drive, Alisander Close, Booth Close, Lambe Close, Hambrook Road and Vicarage Road. Some roads remain unadopted and there the parking regulations cannot be enforced.

Philip Michael said: "I've lived here for three and a half years - I love it here.

"But my fiancee and I are now seriously thinking of moving.

"It will be impossible. There will be nowhere for visitors to park, or tradesmen. We will be more isolated than we were in lockdown.

"I understand there is a problem with parking on the development and something needed to be done.

"I have seen some shocking parking by individuals that effectively block access to waste disposal trucks and obstruct views of junctions. Also, in desperation, people park in other people’s allocated private bays.

"However, the new changes are excessive to say the least. Once the double yellow lines are enforced, many people will not be able to park anywhere near their home - or on the development at all for that matter!"

Although Mr Michael and his partner have two cars and two allocated bays, some residents have no spaces.

He said: "This will prove especially difficult for single parents with small children or babies."

Another resident Frederika Seal said she would now be applying for a disabled parking space, as life with a daughter who has a blue badge and a son in a wheelchair would become "very difficult" with nowhere to park.

There are a small number of visitor parking bays but these are frequently occupied by the spillover of residents' parking.

Residents have set up their own Facebook page - Holborough Lakes Parking Issues Group - to share their woes. It has more than 200 members.

Mr Michael said: "Frankly there is uproar over this."

Many residents have written to Tracey Crouch, the MP for Chatham and Aylesford, who in turn has written to the borough council's parking manager Andy Bracey.

She wrote: "These increased parking restrictions, which may improve the aesthetics on the Holborough Lakes development, will cause misery for residents and may lead to inappropriate parking on the already congested Holborough Road (off the estate).

"I would strongly encourage a re-think."

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