More than 1,800 people have signed a petition against plans which would see free parking at a West Malling car park come to an end.

The short-stay car park behind Tesco currently offers motorists three hours of parking for no cost.

It is a favourite among people popping in for a coffee or to visit local shops.

But under proposals to be discussed by Tonbridge and Malling Borough Councillors (TMBC) on Tuesday, the short stay car park could begin charging visitors up to £5 from Monday and Saturday, 8am to 6pm.

A proposed minimum charge has been suggested at 30p for the first half hour, while an hour would be 60p.

Under another plan a nominal £50 annual charge for Ryarsh Lane car park will also be tripled to £150 a year in a bid to offset the costs of running the scheme.

Residents have now started a petition against the introduction of charges, which will be presented to the council.

More than 1,800 concerned residents have signed the peition in less than 48 hours.

Some businesses have also raised concerns about the proposals. Amy Barker is company director at Monks Clothing.

She said parking in the town is already so bad she takes the train into work, even though she lives in nearby East Malling.

She said: “I have been told many times by my customers they cannot always get their cars in the car park as it is. I don’t think paying for parking is a solution.

“The people it will put off are the ones popping in to get milk and then dropping in to see us. We make some big sales that way.”

Sasha Luck owns The Old Clock shop in High Street and also represents West Malling and Leybourne on Tonbridge and Malling council.

She said the new charges for high street were nominal, with many visitors ready and willing to cough up cash when visiting the town.

She said: “As a business person car parking in this town has always been horrendous.

“But I don’t think charging will put anybody off from a business point of view.”

The changes are part of borough-wide plans to increase the revenue brought in by car parks and the residents permit holder scheme.

If all the proposals come into force, officers expect to raise more than £350,000. This would offset investment in new technology including ticket machines.

Under the plans these could increase from £35 to £40, while visitor permits could see a similar rise to £12.