More than 2,000 people have signed a petition opposing the extension of car parking fees across their borough.

Graham Gra started the online campaign after the Conservative-led cabinet at Tonbridge and Malling council decided to introduce fees for the first time on Sundays and Bank Holidays.

It also decided to extend evening fees from 6pm to 8pm.

But 2,279 people signed the petition calling for a rethink on the policy within the first eight days of it going live.

The council has a policy that any petition that attracts more than 1,500 signatures must trigger a further debate on the issue, so the petition has been placed on the agenda of the next cabinet meeting on Tuesday, of next week, with members meeting at 7.30pm in the council chamber at Kings Hill.

The meeting is open to the public.

Launching his position, Mr Gra said: “I am a resident of Tonbridge, supporting our local businesses and our high street.

“The proposal to extend charging hours in the town’s car parks is not just an inconvenience, but a potential threat to the vibrancy and vitality of our community.

“Extended charging hours can deter visitors from frequenting our high street, social and sports clubs impacting local businesses that rely on their patronage.”

Mr Gra said: “We urge Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council to not only consider these facts but also listen to their constituents who have overwhelmingly supported no increase to the charging hours in the car parks. We need policies that encourage growth and community engagement rather than hinder it.”

Many residents seem to agree with, him, with Julia Winn observing: “The town will die.

“Much better to make parking free and take the custom away from other towns.

“It really puts people off especially when they can go to B&M and the like, and park for free.”

Steve Baker said: “It is wrong for councillors to totally disregard the vote of the people.

“There is a real danger that some local businesses will have to close allowing only the big multi-nationals to occupy our high streets.

“We need to protect local shops and industries.”

The council argued that the shopping, working and visiting habits of the public had changed and there was no longer any justification for treating Sunday any differently from any other day.

In addition, there was a need for the council to increase its income to ease the ever-present strain of balancing its books.

It also argued that the cost of maintenance and repair of the car parks had increased.

The council did carry out a public survey ahead of its decision.

Of those who responded, 2,180 had opposed the introduction of Sunday charging, with just 83 in favour.

A further 2,096 people had objected to Bank Holiday charges with 83 in favour, and 2,247 had objected to the extension of evening charges till 8pm with only 17 in support.

At the time, the leader of the council, Cllr Matt Boughton (Con), observed that: “You wouldn’t expect turkeys to vote for Christmas. People don’t necessarily want to pay more.”

Cabinet member Cllr Kim Tanner said: “None of us want to increase parking charges, but we are responsible for the sustainability of the council.”

Arguing that not taking the opportunity of extra income from parking would inevitably lead to cuts elsewhere, she asked: ”How are we going to pay for our new grounds maintenance contract? How are we going to pay for the waste management contract?

“We cannot ignore this opportunity to bring in some extra money.”

Some opposition councillors, however, took a different view.

Cllr Frani Hoskins (Lib Dem) said: “We have consulted people and we have a duty to listen to what they say, especially when they have given such clear reasons.

“People come to Tonbridge on a Sunday, because parking is free.

“And the extension of charges into the evening is going to affect those attending events at The Forum that start at 7.30pm, and many sports and other meetings.”

She added: “If we ended up being the only local authority in Kent not to charge for parking on a Sunday, that would actually be something to be proud of.”

Officers’ advice on the agenda papers is only that the cabinet “receive and note the petition.”