A councillor has challenged disgruntled residents to put their money where their mouths are in a row about parking permits to free up clogged streets in Gravesend.

Cllr John Loughlin (Lab) took exception to the criticism of council officers during an exchange to discuss introducing a residents parking scheme in Rural Vale, Mill Road and Gordon Road.

Gravesham councillors held a debate on Wednesday whether to bring in permits after a petition was submitted to the authority.

Cllr Loughlin, member for Northfleet South, called for residents to present their own ideas after the council was rapped for launching the permits in Old Road West.

He hit back at Facebook user Chris Smith who claimed the scheme had resulted in drivers avoiding Old Road West to park in surrounding streets for free, exacerbating the problem in other roads.

Mr Smith also referred to council officers as bungling idiots sarcastically suggesting they were worthy of the planning of the year award.

Cllr Loughlin fired back: “Being offensive to council employees who are trying their best to resolve an impossible situation.

“They are damned if they do and they are damned if they don’t. Whatever is done it will never solve the parking problem.

“The fact is that our roads, and especially small residential roads, were never planned to accommodate the volume of cars now using them.”

He also warned residents permits gave no guarantee to park outside your home and could end up costing £30 a year.

He added: “There is not a single residents’ parking scheme in the country where a parking space is guaranteed.

“They are all over subscribed and anyone who expects otherwise is naïve in the extreme.

“So instead of negative comments let’s hear positive solutions to the parking problems.

“I assume from what has been said that the critics of the current schemes have some expertise in this field. So come on don’t hide your talent and put your money where your mouth is.”

In response to the tough-talking councillor, another Facebook user Mike Dixon described his invitation as 'arrogant'.