Residents and traders joined forces to air their views on proposed parking restrictions in dozens of roads in Strood.

Some fear small businesses which have been in a large area of the town for years could go bust if the controlled parking zone (CPZ) is enforced.

Others want the existing arrangement to remain because they do not want to start paying for parking permits for outside their homes.

People are being asked to choose between three options - to ban parking during certain hours during the day, restrict parking overnight or leave things as they are.

Cllr Stephen Hubbard, who represents Strood North, felt there should not be a “blanket” decision to cover all roads in the suggested expansion of an existing CPR.

Cllr Hubbard said: “The way forward on the new consultation should be on a street-by-street basis. No one solution fits all.

“I do not believe there is a need for night-time CPZ and I can only foresee that it will lead to conflict between residents.

“During the review we need to look at the times of the on-street CPZ parking and compare it to the times of paid parking.

“To address the lack of on-street parking we should look to allow CPZ residents to use overnight, without charge, the existing parking bays in Station Road and in Grove Road car park.”

Franki Dallas. who runs Ivory Hair Salon, Weston Road, and is leading the campaign, believes her business will fold if restrictions are imposed.

Miss Dallas said spaces outside her salon were currently used by customers and any change would “crucify” the livelihoods of both herself and her staff who are all self-employed.

She said: “They will not be able to earn an income and therefore have to find other jobs.”

Resident Wesley Moore has lived in the area for eight years and up to now has not had to pay to park.

He said: “I do not want to pay for a permit. If it comes to it why can’t there be some kind of compromise with traders like car sharing?

“Or perhaps they could take up some of the empty units in the town?”

The council first put out the CPZ for consultation in 2017, but it was decided to postpone any works until the town centre improvements were finished.

Simon Swift, Medway Council’s head of highways maintenance and parking, said: “Following complaints from residents regarding parking pressures in the Strood North area we have launched a consultation regarding the possibility of introducing a controlled parking zone.

“We have sent letters regarding the consultation to local residents and we would encourage them to take part.”

The consultation ends on Tuesday, November 5.

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