NATIONAL issues were put to one side for a spell as Westmorland and Lonsdale’s four Parliamentary candidates were asked to focus on Kendal’s parking problems.

At a debate organised by Cumbria Chamber of Commerce, the General Election contenders were asked for their views on plans to turn New Road car park into a landscaped area, ending years of free parking.

Both the Lib Dem and Labour candidates, Tim Farron and Jonathan Todd, said if elected they would use their influence to try to find alternatives.

Conservative candidate Gareth McKeever said he would carry on fighting to keep the common land open as a car park.

UK Independence Party candidate John Mander said the problem was a national and not a local issue.

Mr McKeever said he had carried out a survey to discover who would be most affected when the area closed and found it would be predominately low income earners who could not afford to buy a parking permit He said: “If we don’t have this car park people said they would use residential streets or there would be no point going to work at all. It is the oxygen of Kendal.”

Mr Farron said it was important to look for new parking options.

“The council has had no alternative. We do need parking, but do we really need it three quarters of the way round the one way system?”

Mr Todd said he wanted to see park and ride buses in Kendal.

“I am surprised at how long it takes to get through Kendal. It’s a small town but it takes ages, it’s worse than London.”

Mr Mander said: “Central government should provide car parks for visitors and locals.”