Residents-only parking see Brighton streets empty (From The Argus)
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Residents-only parking see Brighton streets empty
2:30pm Friday 7th September 2012 in News
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Just a few cars in John Street in central Brighton
A week ago these city centre streets were packed with cars.
But after Brighton and Hove City Council extended its residents’ parking zone, there is hardly a vehicle in sight.
The changes were brought in the Queens Park and Canning Street areas by the local authority on Saturday after it said residents supported the schemes.
However, some have questioned why there are so many empty streets in the centre of the city – which is just yards away from local traders.
One user, who did not want be named, said: “It has made a dozen empty city streets. Empty parking spaces are bad for the city.”
Steve Percy, of the People’s Parking Protest, said: “There’s only one reason they have done this and that is to take money from people for parking.”
A council spokeswoman said: “The vast majority of available permits in the scheme extensions have already been taken up and the new parking area C is now operating at 85% of capacity.
“As with all parking schemes we would expect variations in demand for spaces to settle |down over the next few months as the schemes become established.”
Comments(24)
s&k
says...
2:36pm Fri 7 Sep 12
graham_Seagull
says...
2:41pm Fri 7 Sep 12
prescription
says...
2:49pm Fri 7 Sep 12
s&k
says...
2:55pm Fri 7 Sep 12
prescription wrote:Obviously this is not a good way of operating residents' parking schemes where residents in those schemes have to wait long periods for permits. The council should issue residents with temporary permits if there's a hold up. Or at least reimburse some of the penalties. But of course parking in central Brighton is at a premium and residents/traders should come first.
s&k... I moved to central Brighton a few years ago, and was faced with an 18 month wait for a parking permit. So this was one of the areas I left my car. What else was I supposed to do? I need to use a car for work and was still faced with a 30 minute plus walk to & from my car each time I needed to use it. People have cars and need to put them somewhere. The 18 months I was without a permit were an absolute nightmare. I got about 25 parking tickets & seemed to spend my whole life either trying to find somewhere to park or trudging to & from my car. I can't imagine what it would be like now as almost every road I used to park in is now residents only.
Fight_Back
says...
3:05pm Fri 7 Sep 12
Lewesroadresident
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3:12pm Fri 7 Sep 12
RickH wrote:Agreed! He is one man, who represents no one's opinions but his own, and has no more authority to comment on parking than anyone else. The Argus love him though, because he can be relied on for a negative soundbite about anything to do with parking.
"....Steve Percy..." AKA Renta-quote for the Argus
Back to the story, and it seems clear to me that the scheme is an enormous success- space for residents to park. The fact the street is empty shows how many of the vehicles in that road were from outside the area. I assume Amex staff owned most of the vehicles. Unfortunately, this will only push the problem onto Hanover, resulting in yet another survey in 2 years' time for a parking scheme!
Lewesroadresident
says...
3:21pm Fri 7 Sep 12
Fight_Back wrote:Nope, it provides parking for residents AND gives the Council money as a by-product.
And as perscription's experience shows residents parking doesn't solve the issue. All it does is give the council money. What on earth is the point of hundreds of available parking spaces at exactly the point residents don't need them ? Money, money, money. Labour started it, the Tories continued it and the Greens follow it with even more vigor than the other two parties.
I look forward to your evidence that the Greens have expanded controlled parking more rapidly than the Tories and Labour. Oh wait, there isn't any evidence because it's not true. Good chance to get some Green bashing in though eh? Even though it's unrelated to the story...
However, I do agree with you that resident parking is restricted at the wrong time of day. It should be free/very cheap parking during the day for all, and residents' only from 17.00 until 09.00, when the residents are more likely to need the spaces. Trouble is, that would cost a lot more in parking attendant wages.
Fairfax Sakes
says...
3:49pm Fri 7 Sep 12
Fight_Back wrote:Of course its about money-the public finances are in severe difficulties hadn't you heard? Or would you prefer to pay higher taxes?
And as perscription's experience shows residents parking doesn't solve the issue. All it does is give the council money. What on earth is the point of hundreds of available parking spaces at exactly the point residents don't need them ? Money, money, money. Labour started it, the Tories continued it and the Greens follow it with even more vigor than the other two parties.
Actually, since you probably dont have a job I suppose you would. Now go and wash your face properly.
reddogs
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4:19pm Fri 7 Sep 12
Fight_Back
says...
4:20pm Fri 7 Sep 12
Fairfax Sakes wrote:I do have a job thank you. You clearly don't have brain cells to rub together otherwise you would know that the council ( of whatever colour ) are not allowed to spend parking income on anything other than transport improvements - cycle lanes for example. So the parking income has no effect on taxes whatsoever. Of course, criticism of your beloved Greens means someone has to be unemployed despite the fact that we currently have the most incompetent council in living memory.
Fight_Back wrote:Of course its about money-the public finances are in severe difficulties hadn't you heard? Or would you prefer to pay higher taxes?
And as perscription's experience shows residents parking doesn't solve the issue. All it does is give the council money. What on earth is the point of hundreds of available parking spaces at exactly the point residents don't need them ? Money, money, money. Labour started it, the Tories continued it and the Greens follow it with even more vigor than the other two parties.
Actually, since you probably dont have a job I suppose you would. Now go and wash your face properly.
Wilftop
says...
4:44pm Fri 7 Sep 12
ter cars left for weeks on end without moving & residents (the few of us that do own a car) cannot park & get abuse when having to unload shopping etc for blocking the road for a few mins.
bug eye
says...
5:05pm Fri 7 Sep 12
the parking scheme is clearly money orientated and should have been a soft touch scheme, with restrictions for an hour twice a day, that would be more widely supported and allow visitors, traders and shoppers parking but not able to leave their cars all day. that is too simple though for the jobsworths. the 7 day a week 9am to 8pm system clearly is to collect money from pay and display and fines is way over the top, and will affect the local economy. hanover has been a problem for years with student old bangers cluttering up the streets, but will the greens permit their stronghold?.
keswick
says...
5:09pm Fri 7 Sep 12
Fight_Back wrote:Absolutely spot on "the most incomptent council in living memory".. They are also the most unpopular because all they are interested in are their own narrow objectives. And why because somebody disagrees with you Fairfax Sakes do you jump to a conclusion that they do not have a job and need a wash ? I assume from your response you are a Green and it is people like you that help give them a bad name. And before you think about it I have just come home from work and had a shower. How about you ??
Fairfax Sakes wrote:I do have a job thank you. You clearly don't have brain cells to rub together otherwise you would know that the council ( of whatever colour ) are not allowed to spend parking income on anything other than transport improvements - cycle lanes for example. So the parking income has no effect on taxes whatsoever. Of course, criticism of your beloved Greens means someone has to be unemployed despite the fact that we currently have the most incompetent council in living memory.Fight_Back wrote: And as perscription's experience shows residents parking doesn't solve the issue. All it does is give the council money. What on earth is the point of hundreds of available parking spaces at exactly the point residents don't need them ? Money, money, money. Labour started it, the Tories continued it and the Greens follow it with even more vigor than the other two parties.Of course its about money-the public finances are in severe difficulties hadn't you heard? Or would you prefer to pay higher taxes? Actually, since you probably dont have a job I suppose you would. Now go and wash your face properly.
hammerfan
says...
6:23pm Fri 7 Sep 12
You cannot expect permits to be free.
It is not fair to expect non car owners to pay for enforcement. The cost of permits
per week is less then a pint of beer, 2 litres of petrol or 10 fags!
Maxwell's Ghost
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6:32pm Fri 7 Sep 12
On_the_Level
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8:27pm Fri 7 Sep 12
Uncle_Meat
says...
9:00pm Fri 7 Sep 12
I can understand why a lot of people voted against the last referendum - too big a catchment area and a crazy idea of cutting the parking in several roads by 50%.
Try again councillors but this time try and be a bit more sensible!
greeg2
says...
11:04pm Fri 7 Sep 12
s&k wrote:"Just shows then how many non-residents must have been using those streets,"what you mean like tourists?
Just shows then how many non-residents must have been using those streets to park for free or dump their vans/cars. If people still want to park there and use the local shops then park and use pay and display.
Surely not!
says...
9:20am Sat 8 Sep 12
puddingandpi
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9:32pm Sat 8 Sep 12
It's really unfair on people who need to drive in to work because they can't afford to live here.
Dirk Von Roden
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12:59pm Sun 9 Sep 12
F in L
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9:25am Mon 10 Sep 12
nosedivekarma
says...
3:38pm Mon 10 Sep 12
The income generated from permits and tickets is supposed to finance the parking scheme itself and any surplus to be spent on transport facilities.
I don't mind paying for a parking permit. I think it's a reasonable price to pay so I can park within walking distance of my flat. But I'm not sure a 9am-8pm 7 days a week blanket scheme is the best way to approach the parking issue.
I just need to be able to park on weekends and evenings. But everyone has different needs :-/
If I could get a train direct to work I'd ditch my car altogether!
RickH says...
2:35pm Fri 7 Sep 12