New parking restrictions planned for dozens of Brighton streets have already sparked disapproval from local business owners.

Brighton and Hove City Council is currently carrying out a consultation on plans, which could be brought in within months, to introduce the new scheme in the Lewes Road Triangle.

Among the restrictions in the proposals is the introduction of residents permit parking along Upper Lewes Road and nearby streets, bringing in new double yellow lines and possibly bringing in pay and display machines.

The council hopes plans could reduce congestion caused by double parking as well as stop drivers parking on pavements.


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But business owners have criticised the plans, claiming they will damage trade.

Cheryl Whiteman, who runs Rocket Sign and Designs on Lewes Road, said: “Our views are we want to live along the residents and they want a thriving road, not empty shops.

“This plan is quite disturbing to a lot of us businesses who need to park out there.

“If customers have to park further away and walk then they won't come here.

“We have customers who come in and stay with us for half an hour designing items.

“We're not a pick up and drop off business.”

Graeme Reece, who owns G Wizz Cleaning regularly works in the area and said new parking restrictions were the last thing the council should be looking at to improve the road.

He said: “I find it very difficult to operate in that area now. There are so many other things they can do to improve that road.

“The whole road layout is not set up for easy flow of traffic and it's making life hell for anyone who uses it.”

A six week consultation is currently underway and questionnaires have been sent out to homes in the area.

If the plans are brought in as proposed the scheme would operate between 9am and 8pm Monday to Sunday and provide bays for use by residents and their visitors, businesses and services.

The results of the consultation will be reported to the council's Environment, Transport and Sustainability Committee on July 1 but early signs are that businesses are very much against them.

Another trader labelled the plans as “ridiculous” while a spokesman for Deacon and Richardson architects previously told The Argus he had considered moving his business out of the area because of the yellow lines that were already in place on one side of Upper Lewes Road.

Councillor Pete West, chairman of the environment, transport and sustainability committee, said the consultation was an opportunity for residents and businesses to put their views across to allow the council to find the most practical way of solving the parking problems.