DOZENS of protestors opposed to the closure of New Road car park marched on Kendal Town Hall to voice their anger.

More than 100 people turned up for the March last Friday evening which saw them make their way into the centre of the town via Blackhall Road chanting: "We want it back. We want it back. This is our car park. We want it back."

They carried placards bearing the slogans 'Give us back our car park', 'Free parking for everyone' and 'Stop! Land grab.'

Motorists in passing vehicles honked their horns in support of the protestors, who ended the march by collecting signatures at the town hall. A passing cyclist even tinkled his bell in a gesture of solidarity.

"I am chuffed with how a lot of people have turned up," said co-organiser Jane Nicholson. "We are not laying down and just letting them (South Lakeland District Council) do this. In my mind it is stealing. They are using our money to do something we do not want."

The decision to close the free car park and landscape it was made a few days earlier at a SLDC scrutiny committee. Polluted top soil is to be removed before the work goes ahead.

In the meantime, the land is fenced off and patrolled by security guards. Boulders are to be placed on the empty car park to prevent vehicles from accessing it.

Mike Denney, whose wife Julie helped organise the march, said: "We are all very angry. People have been parking here for over 80 years. Why does it have to change all of a sudden?"

Christine and John Leach also raised concern over the fact that there was potentially going to be a recreational space right next to a main road, citing health risks related to pollution.

Conservative councillor James Airey said he was at the march to show support for the many people who had contacted him and objected to the car park being closed.

"I wanted to show that there are some politicians locally who are listening to residents and I want to support the right cause," he said. "We want the council to re-think and the best way to do that is to show some people power."

Speaking of the council's decision to go ahead with the closure, Dyan Jones, the Lib-Dem Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, said: “The Tories seem to be more prepared to score political points than put the safety of local people at the top of their agenda.

“This was clear to see by their willingness to refuse to vote on the matter at the call-in meeting.

“The Lib Dems are the only party to put the safety of people in Kendal first, while being pro-active in helping local people by introducing a range of parking measures which has led to much cheaper parking throughout the town.”

A spokesperson for South Lakeland District Council said: "We appreciate that people have strong feelings about the closure of common land to vehicles in New Road and we respect their right to air those opinions."