A PETITION to reinstate free Saturday parking in Gravesend town centre has been delivered to Gravesham Borough Council with 3,000 signatures.

Civic society Urban Gravesham and town centre traders handed over the petition which argued that free parking would boost businesses at a difficult time.

Urban Gravesham’s Martin McKay said he sympathised with the council’s tough financial position but said it was “time to reconsider on car parking charges”.

He said: “People in Gravesham have made it very clear that they feel strongly about this and we hope that the Council will show they are willing to listen to the community.”

Among the signatories was shopkeeper James Munn, whose family has run Munns in Windmill Street for more than a century.

Mr Munn said: “Anything we can do to encourage people to shop in the town centre, rather than going to Bluewater or Asda or Morrisons, the better.

“People don’t like having to pay to park. It does become an issue.”

Mr Munn acknowledged the council was cash-strapped and praised its work to improve the town centre, but added: “I don’t suppose they are making much money from the car parking because when you go there on a Saturday it is only half full.”

Kent County Councillor for Gravesend East, Bryan Sweetland said the town risked losing its independent stores.

He said: “Gravesend's shops are in competition with other nearby shopping centres who offer free parking at weekends and Gravesham council must rethink this damaging policy.”

Council leader, councillor John Burden, said: “The petition is on the basis of free car parking – I think most people like that idea.

“But the financial cost is being forgotten.”

He said the council faced a 35 per cent reduction in central government funding, had to save £1.2million last year and will save a £1m this year and next.

He said: “It is not feasible to fund free parking.

“You get nothing for nothing, that’s the difficulty. It would have to be at the cost of other things.”

Cllr Burden said the council was doing all it could to help struggling retailers by promoting the town centre.

Urban Gravesham will continue to collect signatures at its stall outside Central Library every Saturday morning.