Seven Dials split in two over parking fees (From The Argus)

Seven Dials split in two over parking fees

2:20pm Tuesday 1st May 2012 in Business News By Tim Ridgway, Local government reporter

A busy shopping and residential area has been split in two by new parking charges.

Some traders and businesses in the Seven Dials area of Brighton and Hove have expressed concern about a £2.50 difference in the price of an hour’s parking.

It comes after Brighton and Hove City Council introduced a raft of changes on April 1, aimed at reducing congestion and improving air quality.

The local authority said it was aware of the situation in Seven Dials and would consider reviewing it.

Transport cabinet member Ian Davey said: |“I have spoken with one of the traders and am meeting with them today to discuss the situation, along with exciting plans for possible improvements to the area.”

The changes mean those south of Seven Dials have to pay the higher central Brighton rate of £3.50 for one hour, £6 for two hours or £10 for four hours.

Other streets north of Chatham Place and Vernon Terrace have the lower rate of £1 for an hour, £2 for two hours and £3 for four hours.

Steve Percy, of the campaign group People’s Parking Protest, said he had been contacted by a number of traders in the area. He said: “It’s a ridiculous situation. Everyone that lives or works in the Dials sees it as one area. You can guarantee that, by looking at it again, the council will put them all up to the £3.50 an hour tariff.”

It comes days after the local authority introduced a new eight-hour tariff costing £15 for about 300 spaces in Madeira Drive.

This was after dozens of traders and businesses backed The Argus campaign to Park The Charges.

Coun Davey said: “We have serious problems with traffic-related air pollution in the city, which damages local people’s health.

“Heavy congestion, especially along the A23 main route into the city, is also off-putting to tourists and visitors, which can harm the local economy.

“The council is also working in partnership with public transport providers. Over time we expect this approach will improve the lives of everyone in the city, as well as helping businesses and boosting our economy.”

He added that any surplus from parking income would go into transport schemes.

To join our Park the Charges campaign, calling for a city-wide review of parking charges, leave a comment here, comment on our Facebook page, or tweet using the hashtag #parkthecharges.