Fed-up traders are aiming to bring rush-hour traffic to a standstill by staging their sixth protest in a year over the city council's Parking policy.

The white van protest will start from Madeira Drive, Brighton, on Wednesday at 8.30am.

A convoy of plumbers, electricians, carpenters and builders who need to park in the centre of Brighton and Hove to carry out their work, will drive slowly along the seafront to Hove Town Hall.

They will make a circular tour of the surrounding roads, causing traffic delays.

Previous protests have slowed rush-hour traffic in the city and at times brought morning seafront traffic to a halt.

The traders put off action during the Iraq conflict but said they would make one final demonstration against the parking policy of Brighton and Hove City Council before the May 1 local council elections.

The traders, who have formed themselves into Traders Against Parking Persecution (TAPP) are angry at the introduction of £3 parking waivers which allow them to work and park in areas where there are yellow lines.

Before National Car Parks took over responsibility for enforcing city parking regulations, traders were able to put notices in their windows saying where they were working to avoid fines.

They say it takes time to collect the daily waivers and they want a system similar to the parking voucher scheme for motorists.

They also want changes to the Trader's Parking Permit, which can be purchased to enable them to park in residents' parking bays and other controlled areas.

Some concessions, such as the earlier opening of one office where waivers can be purchased, have been granted but traders are still fighting the policy.

The council has also agreed the trader's permit can be used up to 4pm in a residents' parking bay and it scrapped a two-hour maximum stay rule. Waivers can be purchased in advance and by account.

Roger McArthur, of TAPP, said: "We are having one last demonstration in the hope the council sees sense in the run-up to the election.

"We are just fed up with the hassle of paying out and complying with these parking regulations, which prevent us from doing our work for the public properly."

The council has been looking into the issues raised by Tapp as part of a review on parking policies.

Councillors have also said the council has to strike a balance to suit the needs of the majority of residents and businesses.

Monday April 21 2003