I write in response to John Plowman's letter (Letters, February 9) regarding the tripling of the hourly parking charges in most parts of Brighton.

We agree with him it is unreasonable and ridiculously above the cost of inflation.

As a small trader in George Street (off St James's Street, Brighton), we have noticed during the past few months a considerable drop-off in trade and several businesses near us have ceased trading as a result.

Reasons clearly are:

1. Increased cost of street parking - many people just won't pay this and are now going to the superstores that have free parking.

2. Traffic wardens ready to pounce if you are one minute overdue.

3. Disabled badge abuse - many genuine disabled shoppers are unable to park (and shop) because spaces are "blocked" by unscrupulous persons who have "borrowed" blue badges.

Result: Much more business taken away from the small traders, in favour of the superstores.

The new parking regulations that will come into force around the Queens Park area in April are a good idea and were required but do the restrictions have to be for six days a week from 9am until 8pm? The simple answer is "No".

Having lived in that part of town for several years, I know the problem was only between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday.

All that was required to stop commuters was to enforce parking restrictions from, say, 10am-3pm and this would have solved that area's problem.

So why does the council enforce the restrictions between 9am and 8pm, six days per week? Because, sadly, it appears to be more interested in making money.

It must be obvious shops in the St James's Street area never do that well compared with the North Laine or Western Road, so shopkeepers beware, the new restrictions shortly to be imposed near us will damage our businesses even more, unless restriction times are reduced.

Come on, Brighton and Hove City Council, please wake up to reality.

-DG Burgess, Brighton