Unsuspecting motorists have been paying to park in free seafront spaces because of a council bungle.

Drivers bought tickets under a signposted pay and display scheme, even though it does not start until next week. Meanwhile, the council, which failed to cover up the notices until Monday's launch, is collecting the meter cash.

Some councillors are accusing the council of

taking the money illegally.The parking bungle has taken place on the northern side of Kingsway along Hove seafront, on a stretch between Adelaide Crescent and Holland Road. Confused motorists were unaware the system was not yet operating.

Laurence Tricker , a 38-year-old conservation project manager from Canterbury in Kent, was visiting an aunt in nearby Lansdowne Place.

He said: "There always seems to be a problem parking in Brighton and I wasn't aware this side of the road was free. I saw the sign and other cars had tickets in their windows so I crossed the road to get one from the meter just in case."

Housewife Sheena Bealby, 54, of West Chiltington in West Sussex, has parked at the seafront location in the past and never paid until now.

She told the Argus: "I knew a scheme was starting but was not sure when. I don't like breaking the law so I asked some builders working nearby what I should do. I wanted to be on the safe side so I got a ticket from across the road. It's a bit wrong what they've done."

Cllr Paul Elgood, leader of the Liberal Democrat group on Brighton and Hove Council, criticised the authority.

He said: "This is just incompetence. The signs have been up this week, uncovered, and motorists have been thinking they have to buy a ticket when the scheme has not even started.

"

The money has been illegally collected and should either be repaid

or a donation given to charity.The meter for the scheme is not even up yet so people have had to cross a busy main road to reach the one used for parking along the seafront itself."

Brunswick and Adelaide ward councillor David Watkins said: "It's just so confusing for people and what happens if visitors arrive this weekend and the signs are still up?"

From Monday, the pay and display scheme will cover 23 spaces, with charges of 60p for up to two hours and £1.50 for two to four hours between 9am and 6pm.

A council spokeswoman said a pay and

display machine would be installed but it would be a day late.

She added: "The signs have only just gone in and were due to be bagged last night. We've had no complaints.A pay and display machine on that side

of the road is due to be operational from Tuesday, a day late."

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