Brighton and Hove is to be left with only one outlet to buy resident, business and visitor parking permits and pay fines.

The North Laine parking centre in Brighton is to close by November to save £35,000 a year.

If councillors agree to the move next month, Hove Town Hall will become the city’s only face-to-face source of parking information.

Customers at the North Road branch are already being told to go to Hove to buy visitor permits.

Councillor Paul Elgood, the leader of the Lib Dem group on Brighton and Hove City Council, said the move will inconvenience residents and traders.

But the council said the closure would save money and that extra services will be made available on the internet.

Coun Elgood said: “This is a great shame. Parking is a major issue in this city and one parking centre is not enough for a city of our size.

“Centralising this service to one site leaves a huge part of the city without a convenient and easily accessible parking shop.

“What this closure will also do is increase the number of car movements from Brighton into Hove as Brighton-based traders and residents will have to come into Hove on a regular basis to pick up parking waivers and vouchers.

“This will impact on pollution and congestion in the centre of Hove. Many of these additional car journeys will be through my Brunswick and Adelaide ward.

“We think the council is making a mistake as they are again cost-cutting rather than ensure the proper delivery of service delivery.”

A council spokeswoman said that the move was part of a package of measures to provide a more efficient and improved service for customers. She added: “A centralised parking information centre in Hove will offer customers and staff a better, more spacious environment, and a speedier service with seven help desks open daily.

“We have consulted other local authorities and found that Brighton and Hove is unusual in having two parking information centres open to the public. Our customers can already access parking services information on line, including application forms, and almost all parking transactions can be carried out by post.”

The plans follow the money-saving closure in May of cashiers’ offices at Priory House, Brighton and Hove Town Hall.

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