The future of two bowls clubs could be “in jeopardy” because elderly members can’t climb the steep hill to their only car park.

The groups are challenging parking restrictions around their bowls green in Clarence Place in Gravesend, which will come into force in May, just after the outdoor season begins.

Despite being offered access to a car park in nearby Rouge Lane, the groups say they cannot walk up the slope with their equipment, which weighs more than 13 kilos.

It sits on top of Windmill Hill – 179ft above the high water mark of the river. The situation has sparked outcry on social media, after a Facebook post from Peter Clements, chairman of Belle Vue Bowls Club, racked up hundreds of reactions.

The team shares the green with Windmill Bowls Club, with each group hosting a home game on alternate weekends.

With an average age of 70-plus, some members have been enjoying the sport for decades. Belle Vue Bowls Club has existed, under various names, for 72 years.

Mr Clements, 73, from Cliffe, said: “A number of players suffer from shortness of breath as well as hip and knee problems, mainly due to our age bracket.

“They are fine on the flat but up hill is a non-starter. Bowls is a great sport as there are so many aids available to keep people playing, but only on the flat, I’m afraid.”

Geoff Lord, 71, chairman of Windmill Bowls Club, which was founded in 1968, said: “It’s a social event as well as a sport. If the club closes, the social element will disappear.

“A lot of people will give up bowls and others will have to play elsewhere.”

They would like to turn a disused tennis court next to the green into a car park, but the council have said this isn’t possible, partly because its in a conservation area.

Gravesham council has defended its decision to impose parking restrictions on the road nearby, as it was supported by residents during a 2018 consultation.

The north side of the road, towards Parrock Street, is currently a controlled parking zone (CPZ), with restrictions between 11am and noon. The south side, adjacent to the park, falls under zone B of the residents’ parking scheme.

From Monday to Saturday, between 7am and 7pm, people can park there for two hours, with no return within one hour.

Under the new scheme, set to go live on Monday, May 13, the entirety of Clarence Place will be in zone C.

Between 8am and 6.30pm, seven days a week, motorists can stop there for one hour, with no return for two hours – unless they have a permit.

"A number of players suffer from shortness of breath as well as hip and knee problems, mainly due to our age bracket..." Peter Clements

The single and double yellow lines in the road will remain unchanged.

A spokesman for Gravesham council said: “The council carried out a consultation to amend the existing parking controls within various CPZs.

“At Clarence Place, residents were very supportive of the proposals, as they will resolve the daily parking issues they currently face.

“The bowls club raised the only objection and so council officers have discussed a number of options with them.

“This includes providing exclusive access to a council-owned gated parking area in Rouge Lane.

“Throughout these discussions, the bowls club have suggested creating a vehicle access way in to the park so vehicles could park on a disused tennis court.

“This is not an option for many reasons, including it being a conservation area. There is also sufficient parking outside of the residential parking area that is not so restrictive, just minutes from the bowling green.”

The clubs have also received support from the Windmill Pub, where they go for a drink after their games.

Landlord Paul Shovlar, of West Street, said: “We support the club completely – it’s a great asset to the community.”

He said turning the tennis court into a car park would be “in theory, quite straightforward”. Other plans suggested by the club include issuing members and visitors with temporary scratch card permits each Sunday.