I live in the area adjoining Hanover which, as stated, has not agreed to the introduction of a controlled parking scheme, as yet. However, I would urge them to do so.

My road has just been marked ready for inclusion in the Zone C-controlled parking area. Already, I feel a sense of relief, reduced anxiety, calm and, yes, common sense.

“Free parking” – what is this misconception?

Free for car-owners, maybe, but often with no consideration for the impact on the quality of life of the residents living in that great free car park on the eastern hill of Brighton.

My family will now be able to cross roads safely, walk on pavements two abreast to talk, see and speak to other people, breathe less polluted air and avoid tripping on shattered pavements.

Parents with buggies and young children going to nursery or primary schools, and wheelchair users, can now utilise the full pavement area; emergency and utility vehicles can access the street speedily and safely; drivers will no longer be at each others’ throats for stealing their parking space or secretly coning off their private space right outside their house or having to reverse up or down the road in a fit of pique due to a road rage impasse between drivers.

The next thing for Brighton and Hove City Council to introduce is reduced speed limits (such as “Twenty Is Plenty”) and sitting areas to encourage people to use their outdoor spaces.

Give the streets back to the residents who pay council tax to subsidise and maintain the “free” car parking in our city.

The cost of a parking permit is a small price to pay, in comparison with an improved quality of life. I’d say it’s an enviable legacy – continue to bring it on elsewhere.

Keith Leggatt, Windmill Street, Brighton

New parking restrictions on the southern edge of Hanover look worse than anyone could have imagined.

As predicted, the council has now banned previous parking along both sides of Stanley and Windmill Streets (staggered instead), and greatly reduced spaces to approximately 25 per street with the same number for the lower section of Queen’s Park Road.

This latter road has about 85 residences (many multi-occupied), while Stanley and Windmill Streets have about 60 residences each. There are extremely generous interpretations of double yellow lines on corners, plus a meaningless bike lane at the ends of Stanley and Windmill Streets.

Those who lobbied for, and expected, guaranteed spaces with residents’ permits must be now gnashing their teeth.

There are nowhere near enough spaces, thus forcing residents (even those who have paid for permits) to park within the ever-diminishing free area a few streets away.

Hanover residents be warned: if the council’s plans bear fruit, within five years the whole hillside will be under this scheme.

Nigel Davis, Hollingdean Terrace, Brighton