COUNCILLORS have slammed the proposed increase in parking charges near the i360, warning that the city needs the attraction to succeed.

At a meeting of Brighton and Hove City Council’s environment, transport and sustainability committee yesterday evening the Conservative group called for the current prices near the tower to be frozen.

The local authority has proposed increasing fees for on street parking near to the i360 in the next financial year.

Councillor Lee Wares, Conservative, said the council was taking advantage of i360 visitors, adding: “We need it to be successful and now we have loaded it with increases.”

The attraction, which opened in the summer, is funded by a £36.2 million loan from the city council through the Public Works Loan Board (PWLB).

The council has proposed increasing on street charges in the Brunswick and Adelaide wards from £3 to £4.20 for two hours.

All four Tory councillors voted for the rates to be frozen. However, they were out-voted by the four Labour members and two Greens.

The Conservative councillors also called for business and trading parking permits and disabled bay application fees to be frozen but their amendment was thrown out by Labour and Green councillors.

It is proposed business and trader permits will increase by between 7.7 per cent and 17.6 per cent.

It is also planned to increase permits for doctors (5.3 per cent) and professional carers’ permits (4 per cent).

The Greens joined with the Conservatives to vote against a 9.1 per cent rise in disabled bay application fees.

All parking proposals will now go to the council’s policy and resources committee for a final decision.