Residents consulted on controlled parking scheme for Hove Park area

People living in the Hove Park area have complained about lack of parking spaces in the area, prompting Brighton and Hove City Council to start a consultation on proposals to introduce a “light touch” zone.

Residents only would be allowed to park in parts of the zone from 9am to 10am and 1pm to 2pm, Monday to Friday.

The proposed parking scheme would involve providing designated bays for use by residents and their visitors.

It is a bid to tackle the number of drivers taking up spaces by parking their vehicles for long periods of time.

Project manager Jo Elsden, 40, who lives in Orchard Avenue, said: “On this side of the park it would have a negative impact because more cars will come over this way to park.

“Pretty much everyone has driveways on both sides and generally parking is not a problem.

“But it will make things more complex.

“I think there is a general feeling like that on this side.”

The council delivered leaflets to more than 1,000 households following an initial consultation last year.

Of those who responded, 62 per cent said they wanted a scheme in the proposed area.

A total of 76 per cent of them expressed a preference for a “light touch” scheme and 70 per cent said they would prefer it to operate on weekdays only.

Resident Richard Delacour, a 51-year-old teaching assistant, said: “What we have seen is an increase of cars, vans and industrial vehicles being parked for weeks and sometimes months at a time.

“The restrictions would not help commuters at all.

“With the proposed restrictions people are still going to have to find a parking space.”

A resident living in the consultation zone, who asked not to be named, said: “I think limiting it to one hour periods is too little but it does stop cars being dumped here all day.

“I suppose they have got to do something.”

Councillor Gill Mitchell, chairwoman of the city’s environment, transport and sustainability committee, said the proposed scheme aimed to “improve safety, traffic flow and access” and measures would be taken to “alleviate any displacement parking in surrounding areas”.

The consultation will be open until May 28.

The proposed zone covers an area to the west of Preston Park Station, beyond the immediate vicinity which already has parking controls.

To the south it extends as far as the Hove Recreation Ground, the home of Hove Rugby Club plays.

To the east it is bounded by Dyke Road and to the west it includes Bennett Avenue and Hove Park Way but stops short of Goldstone Crescent.

To the north it takes in Hill Brow, Hill Drive and Downside, and is bounded by Woodland Drive, which is not included in the scheme.

In the main the proposed controls will be permit holders holders only from 9am to 10am and 1pm to 2pm, although the east side of the recreation ground will be pay and display with a four-hour maximum.