A campaign group aiming to derail council plans to put up parking charges in Brighton is to hold its first meeting.

Organiser Elliott Raggio, a trader in Hove, said business leaders, politicians and traders’ associations will be at the conference at the Hilton Brighton Metropole hotel tomorrow (January 10).

Under Brighton and Hove City Council’s plans, business owners will have to pay £750 a year for a parking permit instead of £350.

Maintenance company owner Mr Raggio has now set up an online petition on the council’s website against the rises.

Mr Raggio’s company, On Tap, has a fleet of ten vans to carry out repairs to homes across Brighton and Hove.

The parking rises will cost his business an extra £5,000 a year.

He said: “We’ll be working out a strategy to make sure these plans do not go through.

“It’s completely scandalous that these price hikes are being considered as they would strangle local businesses.”

On November 29 the council approved a decision to advertise a range of increases which would raise an extra £1.3million a year.

The Green administration claims the plans will reduce congestion, improve air quality and increase the use of sustainable transport.

To sign Mr Raggio’s petition go to www.brighton-hove.gov.uk.

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