Parking charges are being considered for East Brighton Park.

The move follows concerns about parked vehicles causing congestion and access problems at the park’s entrance, particularly for ambulances picking up patients from the air ambulance helicopter.

A public consultation on the proposal has begun and will run until March 19, with residents being asked to give their views on possible plans for charges of up to £3 for up to six hours between 9am and 4pm Monday to Friday and 2pm to 6pm on Saturday and Sunday.

Notices are currently being distributed to residents living in Wilson Avenue and displays will be placed in the park’s cafe and at Asda in Brighton Marina.

The decision to go ahead with the consultation was made by the city council’s environment, transport and sustainability committee.

The council money from the scheme will be used to cover the cost of the new enforcement, with any extra funds being ringfenced for future park improvements.

Councillor Pete West, chairman of the committee, said: “We have had a lot of complaints about problems being caused by long stay parking in the park and we are particularly concerned about the risk of delays for ambulances needing to transfer seriously ill patients from the air ambulance.

“There are also access problems for visitors going to the caravan site, to the extent we are told it is deterring some people from returning to the site and going outside Brighton and Hove for their next break.

“We want to tackle these problems and free up parking spaces for park users and we hope everyone interested will give us their view on the proposed parking scheme.”

He added the council had tried to keep the charges as low as possible, with a starting rate of 50p for up to one hour.

Rich Airey, from South East Coast Ambulance Service, said: “It is extremely important our crews have easy access to the park and we need people to abide by parking restrictions in places where they are enforced.

“We urge people to think about parking and have it in the backs of their minds.

“We say if a fire truck can get past then all emergency services can, so just have that in the back of your mind.

Remember that’s how much room to leave for us.”

If you want to comment on the proposals go to www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/ EBP-parkingsurvey.