A survey has revealed more than 80% of residents struggle to find a parking space near their home.

Many people living in the town can’t park within 200 yards of their property – and some even have to leave their car 400 yards away, with the problem often worse at weekends.

The study was conducted by Charles Miller, a Sandwich town councillor, in response to another survey carried out by Dover District Council, which Sandwich council believes provided unreliable results.

Questionnaires were sent to 661 addresses, mostly within the controlled parking zones of St George’s Road, St Bart’s Road, Sandown Road and Woodnesborough Road.

The survey was closed last Thursday with 255 responses.

Of the respondents, 82.5% said they had no permanent access to parking and 49.3% claim they have had to park in non-permitted areas because they could not find an on-street space, or in the public car parks. A lack of enforcement was also highlighted.

Cllr Miller said: “A high proportion of residents have to go some way reliably to find space. Not much fun for the elderly or those with loads to carry.

“The problem is not confined to peak times - almost 60% experience difficulties in finding space all year round.

“Permit holders believe they are being squeezed by visitors and by residents who think restrictions will not be enforced and who park in controlled space without buying a permit.”

There were lots of ideas put forward to help alleviate some of the problems with parking, including increasing the number of on-street pay and display bays but reserving the rest for residents, and discounts on permits for those working in the town.

Cllr Miller added: “It is really encouraging that so many wanted to be involved and we are enormously grateful to all those who took the time to participate in the survey. We will now consider options for improving capacity within the constraints of a medieval town while striking a fair balance between the interests of residents and visitors.”

The survey is part of the town council’s contribution to DDCs Parking Strategy Review and will be discussed by the town council at the next meeting on Monday, October 26.

It was conducted as a response to a consultation carried out by DDC.

That survey claimed that 46% of respondents believed capacity in Sandwich was inadequate and 54% believed it was adequate either all or most of the time.

However, the town council says the sample was only 60, of which only 18 of the respondents were Sandwich residents and there was no information on the number of those who live within the controlled parking area.

STC claim the results can’t be seen as “reliably representative” and have called for a more comprehensive picture.