RESIDENTS are celebrating after they and their ward councillors led a challenge to an unpopular parking scheme.

A "light-touch" parking scheme where only permit holders can park for an hour in the morning and at night is set to be introduced in the Ingram Estate in Hove from May after residents and councillors opposed a wider-ranging scheme introduced last September.

Residents complained that system caused “chaos” and led to some neighbours parking further from their homes and fearing for their personal safety.

Now they have welcomed the new scheme set to come in May which will save them up to £200 a year.

Brighton and Hove City Council said new parking enforcement measures were introduced this autumn in response to concerns from residents about parking problems on the estate.

But local Conservative Councillors Robert Nemeth and Garry Peltzer Dunn said residents complained the new scheme was “unacceptable” and began a campaign for an alternative.

The two councillors organised a vote with 32 per cent voting for allocated bays and 68 per cent for no scheme.

Council officers said a scheme of some description had to operate in the area to stop the estate becoming an informal park-and-ride for bus passengers, rail commuters and motorists trying to avoid neighbouring schemes.

A clear majority of residents, 78 per cent, voted in favour of a light-touch option where parking is not allowed for one hour in mornings and evenings without a permit.

The new scheme will cost residents just £95 a year compared to up to £300 per year for the more extensive scheme.

One resident said: “Most people didn’t want any scheme at all because we are quite cash-strapped living on a council estate but we weren’t given the choice.

“The light-touch is a much better option than the current scheme which has caused chaos round here since it was brought in.”

Cllr Robert Nemeth said: “This is a victory for the residents of the Ingram Estate.

“The light-touch option is far friendlier and embodies the spirit of the estate – where residents share and look out for one another.

“Some residents thought that we couldn’t win – but we did.”

A Brighton and Hove City Council spokesman said: “We have listened to feedback from Ingram Crescent residents about the measures since then, and housing staff have carried out a survey of people living on the estate, and attended a meeting with residents to hear their views.

“The changes will be introduced later this year and we will continue to monitor feedback from residents.’