Drivers have been left baffled and angry by the closure of Kingston Council’s parking shop.

The walk-in service at Guildhall 2 closed earlier this month, forcing residents to buy parking or visitor permits online instead.

Former Liberal Democrat Councillor Barry O’Mahony said he spent an hour-and-a-half on the phone trying to obtain a visitor permit, after the new system could find no trace of him.

He said: “I have been a councillor for 12 years, deputy leader, deputy mayor and [am] about to be conferred as an honorary alderman.

“Even I cannot prove to the parking shop who I am and where I live. What chance would an elderly non- computer user have?

“It’s a mess. I think people will miss having the parking shop.”

Mr O’Mahony said he was asked to go to a library to scan and email the necessary documents.

Conservative council leader Councillor Kevin Davis said plans to close the parking shop had been in the works for more than a year.

He said: “We’ve rather inherited this problem.

“We are working on it. We’re not going to accept the current system.”

Deputy Liberal Democrat leader Councillor Stephen Brister said: “The council has to make its budgetary cuts in line with cuts that it’s had from its central budget.

"It’s not an easy decision to make. You know that some people will lose out.

“Barry is right that that will be those people who are not tech-literate.”

Kingston Council’s online parking shop states: “Over the past few years, more of the things you need to do for parking have moved online.

“You can now apply for parking permits online too. As a consequence, the parking shop will be closing on Friday, August 8.

“Going online is the quickest and easiest way to find information, apply for things and to make payments.”

The site also promises to help residents who struggle with the web.

Workers will guide callers through the website, or send forms in the post.

Call 020 8547 1333 for help.