THE consultation on the proposed parking strategy consists of "arrogantly loaded" questions, according to Folkestone traders.

Shepway District Council has delivered documents to homes and businesses in the town centre – phase one of the scheme – asking for opinions on its plan to charge for on-street parking.

SDC has admitted the consultation will cost between £40,000 and £75,000 – of taxpayers' cash – but some of those who have already received the documents feel they have been badly written.

Martyn Jackson, director of Sandgate Road store Landau, said: "It's a complete and utter joke.

"Anyone with a scrap of intelligence can see the questions are outrageously loaded. It's just SDC saying, 'This is what we're going to do, chaps, whatever you say'."

Mr Jackson, who has run his clothing shop for more than 30 years, has been instrumental in copying a Lord Kitchener-style poster for fellow businesses to display.

And he is not the only one urging people to tell the council their views

He said: "Chris from The Chambers has blown up the map of the areas affected and is going to display it to show people what it actually means.

"This consultation should have happened before the policy was adopted by SDC's cabinet.

"But, because they've so arrogantly passed it, members of the public won't see this as a consultation, they'll see it as something that's going to happen.

"And the questions are phrased in a way that will allow the council to say people support it when they don't.

Mr Jackson added: "SDC's used more than £40,000 of our money to tell us what they've decided to do before they asked the businesses and electorate their views.

"They've banged on and on about consultation, but if they'd done things properly we wouldn't even be having it."

An SDC spokesman said: "We believe the questions are fair and cover a range of issues that people may have a view about.

"There is also an opportunity for everyone to give any additional comments they wish."

To have your say, visit www.shepway.gov.uk