Councillors have u-turned on controversial plans to introduce Sunday parking fees after critics branded the idea “ridiculous”.

Dover District Council (DDC) had proposed to introduce fees in 17 car parks and streets across Dover, Deal and Sandwich.

It came after parking charges in parts of the district rose by almost a quarter last year.

But after the authority shared its proposals, residents and and traders told KentOnline the plans were “absolutely awful, terrible, ridiculous and mean”.

John Angell, chairman of the local businesses group Dover Town Team, said: “Every business is going through a tough period, when perhaps higher costs in power, wages and business rates will have to be faced over the next few months.

“Any increase in parking charges, which could affect business, would not be welcome.”

Sandra Malho, boss of La Salle Verte cafe in Cannon Street, Dover, told KentOnline: “I think it’s ridiculous.

“We are already struggling the way it is. If they start paying on Sunday it will get worse.”

Following the backlash, at a meeting of DDC’s cabinet yesterday councillors voted to drop the proposals for new Sunday parking fees in the areas it is currently free.

Cllr Martin Bates (Con), the cabinet member responsible for transport and related issues, proposed the amendment himself.

He told the cabinet: “I have particular concerns around the proposals that we have put in place in relation to the removal of free Sunday parking throughout the district.

“My belief is that particularly within specific areas of the district this would have a negative impact on the trading within the business community.”

“It is good for high streets all round…”

Cllr Chris Vinson (Con) also backed the amendment, arguing that after the council received £18.1 million to regenerate the town centre, it would “seem somewhat perverse that we would then increase parking charges which may act as a disincentive for people to come and use the high street”.

He added: “What it ought to do is send a clear signal to traders and residents within Dover that we understand the need to encourage them to use the high street there as part of our ambition to regenerate it.”

Council officers estimated that the Sunday parking fees would bring in about £25,000 for the local authority if introduced, and told members that any decision not to proceed with the fees would have an impact on next year’s budget.

The changes to parking fees themselves are set to make the local authority £142,000.

Speaking after the meeting, shadow cabinet member Helen Williams (Lab) said that free Sunday parking is “good for high streets all round”.

“Sunday’s a day where you can go and catch up on various bits and pieces in town,” she added.

However, she argues the decision may be politically motivated.

“I don’t know why they didn’t say that before, I think the upcoming election has got something to do with it.”

Most other local authorities in Kent already charge for parking on Sundays, but they range in cost from Dartford’s £1 an hour to Thanet’s £2.50.

Cllr Bates, who represents Guston, Kingsdown and St Margaret’s, also proposed a change to the fees in one particular car park – at St Margaret’s Bay.

“We understand the need to encourage them to use the high street…”

Parking fees there were initially slated not to change – remaining at £1.20 per hour for cars, and £1.90 per hour for cars with trailers or motorhomes.

Cllr Bates instead proposed that the fees for the coastal car park be standardised – at £1.80 per hour for both regular cars and those with trailers and/or motorhomes.

Both the change to proposed fees and the amended charges at St Margaret’s Bay were passed unanimously by the DDC’s cabinet.

What parking changes are coming to the Dover district?

The following car parks are to increase their fees from April this year:

Deal: Union Road – up from £1.30 to £1.60 an hour; Beach Street – up from £1.60 to £1.80 an hour.

Dover: Albany Place – up from £1 to £1.30 an hour; Seafront – up from £1.60 to £1.80 an hour; Russell Street – up from £1.60 to £1.80 an hour; Coombe Valley Road – which currently only allows limited waiting parking, will now have parking fees of £2.00 an hour with a maximum of two hours parking.

Sandwich: Gazen Salts – up from £1.30 to £1.60 an hour; Guildhall – up from £1.50 to £1.60 an hour; Market Street – up from £1.60 to £1.80; New Street – up from £1.60 to £1.80 an hour.