I am very disappointed Traders Against Parking Persecution (Tapp) decided to hold another protest, despite the significant changes made to the original parking policy.

Brighton and Hove City Council has agreed the traders' permit can be used up to 4pm in a residents' parking bay. The two-hour maximum stay was removed.

The council carried out parking surveys to demonstrate usage. The limit of traders' permits issued has been increased to 250 from 150. Larger businesses could receive additional permits at the discretion of the parking manager, not just the two traders' permits per business normally issued.

The cost of parking waivers and traders' permits is to remain unchanged at least to April 2004. It was agreed parking waivers could be issued to a time limit up to midnight.

The Parking Information Centre has been opened earlier on a Monday morning. Waivers can be purchased in advance and by account. The council agreed to consider other issues raised by Tapp as part of the parking review currently being undertaken by the council.

In the interests of goodwill and reaching a solution, these concessions were introduced quickly and without strings attached. The council has to consider the needs and demands of all the residents and businesses of Brighton and Hove for parking provision.

Given the careful balance that must be achieved overall and the many concessions the council has already made to traders on this issue, I do not think further discussions or concessions would be reasonable or helpful.

-Coun Chris Morley, chairman of the environment committee, Brighton and Hove City Council