The Greens need to get a grip on parking in Brighton and Hove (From The Argus)

The Greens need to get a grip on parking in Brighton and Hove

6:50am Thursday 19th April 2012 in park the charges

I WAS pleased to see The Argus highlight the likely effects of excessive increases in parking charges in Brighton and Hove (April 13).

Brighton and Hove City Council’s policy to discourage motorised traffic ignores the fact the city has always relied heavily on its casual weekend and day visitors for a major chunk of its income.

Many visitors, and families, are still obliged to use their cars because trains are so expensive.

Councillors appear to believe the city’s car parks are sufficient, but they are lamentably expensive and the queues indicate there remains a severe shortage of space.

This does suggest a park and ride scheme is in order – now that football has moved out to Falmer, Withdean Stadium has become much more feasible for weekend visitors.

But on its own, and without a dedicated bus service, it will remain largely under-used.

Nick Ashwell, Brighton

WHAT does the council think it is doing to Brighton and Hove by putting up the price of parking?

We are going to lose visitors.

It’s bad enough we haven’t got a decent park and ride – go to Exeter, St Ives or Dartmouth and you’ll see how it should be done.

People will go elsewhere – shame on you Greens, you are going to destroy our city.

Jennifer King, Gardener Street, Portslade

ON GOOD FRIDAY, I took my grandchildren to the Palace Pier and was horrified that two hours cost me £6.

I had no problem parking (unusual for a Bank Holiday) and as I got out of my car the lady in the car next to mine said she refused to pay these “ridiculous parking charges”, and subsequently drove off.

So, well done to the Greens for driving one visitor away from Brighton and its excellent attractions.

Who will suffer? The traders.

Derek Ketteridge, Buckingham Road, Shoreham

NOW that so many people feel unable to visit the seafront due to high parking charges, I suggest the council pools its res-ources and organises some kind of joint travel arrangement.

There are probably enough of them to justify a whole network of transit vehicles ferrying disgruntled shoppers to and from the centre of town.

I’m astonished nobody has thought of this before. Oh, wait...

Dani Ahrens, Southampton Street, Brighton

ACCORDING to Meridian News, Brighton is now the most expensive place to park in Europe, and the Greens say it will encourage people to use other forms of transport.

Who are they trying to kid? It will only encourage people to go elsewhere.

As a Brightonian, I get embarrassed every time I read about a visitor saying they will never return to Brighton because the parking is so expensive.

That shouldn’t bother the Greens, though. This city seemingly welcomes everyone else – pity about the tourists.

John Dace, Cleveland Road, Brighton

I WAS planning a visit to Brighton, but I just saw on TV parking now costs £20 for a day.

That is ridiculous. I am abandoning the idea and will try Hastings instead. I used to work in Brighton, but don’t think I will be coming back.

Don Wood, Upper Dane Road, Margate

IN LIGHT of the enormous hike in parking charges, if the Tories were ever the nasty party, the Greens are now surely the “greedy” or “mean” party.

Betty Childs, Westbourne Villas, Hove

That's not even half of it - see today's Argus letters page for the full response. You can add your voice to the argument by emailing letters@theargus.co.uk.