I would like to raise the issue of controlled parking from a resident’s perspective.

We all know central Brighton is congested and that parking is an acute problem.

This is especially true at weekends when fewer residents are out at work and numerous roads are closed to vehicles or have additional parking restrictions.

Controlled parking at least gives some priority to local people and gives them a fighting chance of finding a space to park, at least within a few streets of where they actually live.

In addition to on-street parking, visitors, including friends and family, tourists and shoppers from outside the city centre, have the option of numerous car parks serving both the shopping areas and seafront.

Motorists will complain that these are expensive and deter people from coming into town.

This may be the case with some of these but not all of them: Trafalgar Street car park, for example, seems to be frequently underused, despite its central location and the fact its charges are some of the lowest in the city centre.

Many of your contributors believe parking should be cheaper or even free at weekends but this would cause considerable frustration to residents who already struggle to find space when the town is busiest.

Personally, I choose not to keep a car because of the parking difficulties. Luckily I can rely on my feet or the bus to get me about.

However, for many friends and neighbours in the area, their vehicles are essential for work or because of mobility issues.

I’m sure they appreciate the slight advantage that controlled parking offers when it comes to finding a space on our overcrowded streets.

Philip Kendrew, Upper Gloucester Road, Brighton