I am a resident of Brighton and have obtained, after a long waiting period, a resident's parking permit at a cost of £80.

This allows me to park in any resident's space within Zone C, which comprises the area between Edward Street, Madeira Drive, the Old Steine and Rock Gardens.

Living in Upper Rock Gardens, I would hope, after paying £80 for a permit I could park in the same road as I live.

Unfortunately, Brighton and Hove City Council has allocated six parking spaces to residents from the 22 available in the road.

The remaining 16 spaces are for voucher parking only. If residents park in these spaces, they are required to pay the charge of 50p an hour on top of the fee already paid for the resident's permit. This is the case in the majority of other roads within the zone.

Why can't residents park on any space within their zone without being subject to additional charges and restrictions?

Surely the council has an obligation to the residents of the city to provide a real service for the fee it charges for residents' parking schemes rather than allocating a few token spaces.

-James Willis, Upper Rock Gardens, Brighton