A COMMUNITY led campaign to save a high street has been launched after fears it is turning into a “ghost town”.
Residents and traders have joined forces to try and save George Street, in Hove, following growing concerns over a lack of footfall, parking limitations and a traffic ban in place in the street.
It is feared the expansion of St Andrew’s CE Primary School in nearby Belfast Street, which is soon to almost double its pupil intake, will further impact on the surrounding parking facilities.
Emma Dalton, 34, of Clarendon Village, started a Facebook Group for residents and traders, which already has more than 500 members.
The full-time mother said: “The traders here are really struggling. Considering the amount of shops here it is really surprising.
“The parking options in around the street are just not good enough. It just doesn’t make sense.
“I have a young child and we do all of our shopping here. If things carry on the way they are it will force people to travel into Brighton city centre.
“There are a lot of elderly people living here who would struggle to do this.”
The street is pedestrianised from Monday to Saturday between 10am and 6pm from April 1 to October 30, and between 10am and 4pm from November 1 to March 31.
A petition signed by 82 businesses from in and around George Street has called for an earlier opening time to traffic of 4pm during the summer to bring more shoppers to the street.
Ms Dalton said: “I just want to see some consistency as it is darker in the winter and less people need to use the road then but it opens earlier than in the summer.
“I want this street to be vibrant once again, not a ghost town.”
A consultation held about the proposed change to the traffic ban showed that 84 per cent of respondents supported it.
George Street businesses report that their takings have reduced significantly as a result of these problems since the issue was last considered by the city council in 2015, some by at least 10 per cent, others by 25 per cent and some even higher.
David Ichola, who owns a barber shop in the street, said: “I have seen a decline in footfall over time, but since changes to parking in the area and the closure of Haddington Street car park, it has got really bad.
“What is the point in having the road open to cars at 6pm when all the shops are closed?
“We are asking for an hour parking with no return in the street which would create a more steady flow of traffic.”
Residents and traders also said that Tesco’s move to stop non-customers using its nearby car park has had an impact on footfall in the street.
To park for over 30 minutes in the car park drivers are required to spend a minimum of £5.
Ward councillor Andrew Wealls has said changes might have to be brought in soon or there is a risk of chain stores closing down and independents going bankrupt.
The street is one of the city’s biggest employers, providing more than 800 jobs.
It is also one of the only seasonally pedestrianised streets in the country.
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