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  • "My wife and I used to drive into town during a weekday night for dinner as she works shifts and weekdays are often her 'weekend'.
    We used to be able to pop into town on a cold, wet January and park for free after 6pm which helped the almost empty restaurants stay open in the down time and winter. You could count the diners in some city centre restaurants on one hand.
    We stopped doing this following the introduction of parking charges up to 8pm as it cost £7 to park from 6pm to 8pm, even in deserted streets where bays are now sitting empty.
    We tried using the bus but it takes 40 minutes to return home and at 10.30/11pm was full of absolutely wretched drunken thugs swearing or students most nights and it cost us almost £10 return.
    Therefore, we now head out of town or to the marina.
    While peak time, tourist season may not show a drop in trade in the city, I fear restaurants will end up closing on weekday nights and in the winter due to silly charges.
    Maybe a cursory £1 charge after 6pm in some areas would be more acceptable, but £7 to eat in an Indian in Preston Park. No thanks."
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Call for a brake on city parking plan

5:30pm Monday 7th May 2012 in News By John Keenan, business editor

Scores of readers have contacted The Argus to call on the council the think again about its parking charges.

They are backing our Park the Charges campaign urging Brighton and Hove City Council to review its recently introduced parking charge increases.

They want the council to consult with residents and businesses and then decide what changes need to be made for the good of the city.

Residents and visitors to the city have being texting their messages, commenting on Facebook and Tweeting their support using the hashtag #parkthecharges It has been backed by the city’s major business groups including Brighton and Hove Chamber of Commerce, The Brighton and Hove Tourism Alliance, Hove Business Association, Brighton Business Club/Deans Business Club and the North Laine Traders Association, Brighton.

Following protests from traders the council will introduce a new eight-hour tariff costing £15 in the seafront high zone, which includes Madeira Drive, but the £20 all-day charge is still in place.

There is a new medium tariff zone on Hove seafront from the Peace Statue to east of Fourth Avenue will cost a maximum of £10.

The Argus campaign has also won the backing of politicians.

Hove MP Mike Weatherley has written to John Barradell, chief executive of the council, to raise his concerns.

He said that officials from the council suggested that tourists could move their cars a number of times in order to get a “discounted” rate.

Mr Weatherley said: “I raised very real concerns that I have received from bed and breakfast owners who are worried that their businesses will be affected.

"I was lost for words when I read the response that suggested that tourists engage in a game of musical cars where if you miss out you end up with a fine.” Green MP for Brighton Pavilion Caroline Lucas said: “Many business people and visitors to the city have been in touch to express concerns over the new charges.

"We need to ensure that action to reduce air pollution and road congestion is done in a way which does not harm local jobs, businesses and tourism.

“The council has tough decisions to make as a result of the spending cuts handed down by central government, but I welcome the fact that they are looking again at the seafront charges.”

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