Cycle hangars in a residential street are “unusable” due to people parking their motorbikes in the way, says one frustrated resident.

The man, who did not want to be named, has called on Brighton and Hove City Council to do more to prevent motorbikes and mopeds blocking the cycle hangar in Denmark Villas, Hove.

He has called on the council to penalise people who obstruct hangars, saying that otherwise the hangars are “useless”.

The council said it has spoken to one of the motorcyclists and will report the “unreasonable” parking to the police if it continues.

The resident said: “They have introduced a cycle hangar there but the way that motorbike parks means it’s unusable.

“It would appear that the council can’t do anything about it and remove the moped.

“I’m not a cyclist, I have seen people use the hangar but they’re not going to be able to get in to that hangar if the motorbike is in the way.

“Parking permits holders have to pay £175 a year for the privilege of parking, cyclists also pay for bike hangars but people on motorbikes can park where they like.

The Argus: A moped parked in front of the hangar in Denmark Villas, Hove, on MondayA moped parked in front of the hangar in Denmark Villas, Hove, on Monday (Image: The Argus)

“We all have to pay. If a car parked on the pavement there, you are guaranteed it will be taken away or a ticket issued.

“It is out of order for motorbikes to park on the pavement. But you bother to put a cycle hangar in there and you allow a bike in front of it, it means the hangar is useless, it can’t be used.

"You’d think you would be able to penalise someone for obstructing the entrance to a cycle hangar.”

Most car owners pay £175 a year for a 12-month parking permit in the city. This can vary depending on the vehicle’s emission rating.

The price for a bike hangar space is around £50 a year.

Motorcycle bays are free in Brighton for solo motorcycles.

The Argus: How bikes used the section of road and pavement before the bike hangarHow bikes used the section of road and pavement before the bike hangar (Image: The Argus)

The council said parking attendants do not have legal powers to penalise motorcyclists parked on pavements unless they are parked adjacent to zig zags, yellow lines or bus stops.

A spokesman said: “We’re obviously very disappointed that motorcyclists would choose to park their bikes in such an unreasonable manner. 

“In this instance one of our parking attendants actually met the motorcyclist and explained that they shouldn’t be parking there.  

“We hope this will be the end of the matter. If it continues, we will report it to the police for their attention. 

“Our parking attendants have no legal powers to issue penalty charge notices to motorcyclists parked in this way.  

“They can only take action on vehicles on the pavement if they are parked adjacent to yellow lines, zig zags or bus stops.

The Argus: Pictured is the bike hangar before the yellow lines were extended next to itPictured is the bike hangar before the yellow lines were extended next to it (Image: The Argus)

 “We have been lobbying central government for powers to tackle pavement parking, similar to the powers that have existed in London since the 1970s.

“The Department for Transport carried out a consultation on providing these powers to councils outside London in November 2019.

“We have been told that the government has reviewed responses to this consultation and will be making an announcement about powers to tackle pavement parking for councils outside London in the near future.”