IT IS SURELY excessive for Brighton and Hove City Council to propose increases of about 15 per cent in the price of residents’, businesses’, traders’ and visitors’ parking permits, as suggested by the environment and transport committee.

An increase of 15 per cent in the price of parking permits is about ten times the rate of inflation and will hit many residents and small business owners hard, at a time when many people are already struggling with increases in costs.

Permit prices in our city are already among the highest in the country so why should these prices increase by a further large amount?

We should be encouraging our local small businesses and self employed people rather than penalising them. How is this supporting local business?

Local councillors should think again about these proposed increases in charges and ensure that our local residents and businesses aren’t forced to pay over the odds for parking permits.

Rob Heale. Chatham Place, Brighton