I note that Mr Simister and Mr Swan (Withdean Independent candidates) continue to persist in their campaign to discredit our Withdean ward councillors, particularly their record on a resident parking scheme within the ward (Letters, April 26).

As a Withdean resident, I would like to note that Ken Norman was not a member of the environment committee at the time the Prestonville controlled parking zone was introduced by the Labour administration without consideration of any knockon effects to neighbouring areas, in this case Reigate Road.

Also, it is on record that, when the displacement of traffic to Reigate Road became obvious, officers of Brighton and Hove environment service and all three Withdean Conservative councillors agreed to circulate a questionnaire to residents of Reigate Road, Inwood Crescent and Compton Road to find out whether a separate residents scheme or an extended Prestonville controlled parking zone would be supported. In addition to this, and at the request of Ken Norman, several traffic surveys have been carried out to determine the level of speeding traffic which use this area as part of a rat run.

Records show that they were carried out with the involvement of Mr Swan and other residents.

The result was that residents voted by a small majority not to support the introduction of a separate residents' scheme or an extended Prestonville scheme and feedback from residents also suggested that a consultation in a larger area - what is now described as the Preston Park Station area - would be more appropriate.

Withdean ward councillors have always operated in a democratic manner following a true consultation with all residents, irrespective of their political views.

As a local resident affected by the implementation of the changes introduced by the A23 sustainable transport Corridor, I have contacted both Ann and Ken Norman as my local councillors with my concerns on many occasions and their response has always been immediate.

  • Deborah North, Varndean Gardens, Withdean