Dear All, As we predicted, West Malling has seen a downturn in people using the Short Term Car Park to visit our wonderful High St. Since May car numbers have reduced by over 20 per cent compared to last year, and in September the drop in numbers was 34 per cent. We are not seeing these spaces fill with new shoppers. We understand Martin Square Larkfield and ASDA car park at Kings Hill are getting higher visitor numbers to their free car parks. The Borough Council reported income from charges since May had already exceeded the costs of operating the car park. Our request for a period of free parking before charges operate was refused. The additional income they say will be used to pay for parking activities elsewhere in the Borough. Our small independent businesses are working harder than ever to attract people back. The trebling of cost for Business Parking Permits has resulted in a small number of businesses from the waiting list now receiving permits. The Borough Council did agree to help the Parish Council's aim to identify a new car park for workers in the town who are currently clogging up residential roads. On a positive note,perhaps because of the huge public support our campaign continues to receive, we were told TMBC councillors show little appetite for implementing charges in the remaining free car parks such as Snodland and Martin Square Larkfield. In the meantime there is some work going on locally about protecting and extending the green belt that you might find interesting. West Malling Parish Council will be holding an event on the next stage of the Local Plan soon. If you don't follow their facebook or twitter pages, it's a quick way to keep up to date. Any questions etc, please feel free to contact me. Richard.Selkirk@westmallingpc.org Kindest Regards Richard Selkirk Vice Chairman West Malling Parish Council