Elderly residents claim new parking restrictions limit them to just one visitor a week – leaving them feeling lonely.

Residents of Ditchling Gardens, Fiveways, said they can only get 52 visitor permits a year per retirement bungalow, leading to many only rarely being able to see their family.

Doreen Downs said: “Our family, children and grandchildren cannot come and see us. It’s very sad and it gets very lonely.”

Ms Downs said she and other residents feel lonely and cut off since the new parking restrictions were introduced in July last year.

More frequent visitors make flying visits and run the risk of getting parking tickets – with Doreen’s son already being given two penalties.

Doreen said: “They just have to pop in and pop out as quickly as possible – they have no time for a coffee or anything.”

Ditchling Road and Ditchling Gardens fall into the Area J, which sets some areas aside for permit holders and some as pay and display.

Visitor permits are offered on a set yearly allocation and the permit allows one full calendar day of parking.

A Brighton and Hove City Council spokesman said: “The introduction of our Area J parking scheme was supported by a majority of local people – many of whom were calling for us to make it easier for visitors to park.

“There is a wide range of parking options available for people visiting residents by car, and we believe it is now easier for visitors to find a space to park.”

“Pay and Display machines nearby provide cheaper parking for short visits.”

The council also said that carer permits are available for people who need to make regular visits to elderly or vulnerable residents as part of their duty of care.

Doreen added: “They should come up and see and not just send parking wardens round to hound us. It isn’t easier, it’s made things worse.”