IN RESPONSE to Katy Rice's comments ['Why is parking so difficult and expensive' Argus, April 17], we have taken into consideration how people prefer to pay for parking.

Cash is still accepted at 150 of our pay and display machines as well as 150 PayPoint shops in the city, including three on Blatchington Road where Katy was parking at the time.

There are also secure payment options for card and contactless - the latter is really simple as all that's needed is your registration number and how long you wish to park - the same information as when paying by cash.

PayByPhone has grown to be the most popular way to pay for parking, having been introduced in 2013 following complaints from businesses about being asked all the time for change for parking meters.

You only have to register or download the app once, after that all that's needed is the location code on the machine, vehicle registration and how long you want to stay.

Residents in parking zones can also apply for visitor permits for their guests which allows them to park all day anywhere in the zone.

Parking charges are set to reduce congestion and manage demand, but 80 per cent of pay and display in the city is still £1 for one hour's parking, the same cost as when charges were first introduced in Brighton & Hove in 2001.

Councillor Gill Mitchell

Chair, environment, transport & sustainability committee

Brighton and Hove City Council