Town's parking referendum refused

There have been two public consultations on the scheme

Plans for a referendum on parking charges in a Sussex town have been rejected as a waste of money.

The public vote on the pay-to-park charges was requested by Eastbourne Borough Council.

But East Sussex County Council, who decided against the proposal, said the referendum would cost taxpayers between £40,000 and £60,000.

A decision on the new traffic orders will be made by the county council's planning committee on 22 September.

Councillor Matthew Lock, lead member for transport and environment at the county council, said development of Eastbourne's parking scheme started in 1999 and were subject to two major public consultation exercises.

'Increasing congestion'

Mr Lock said: "The introduction of the parking schemes in both Lewes and Hastings have been successful in reducing traffic levels.

"However, traffic levels and congestion in Eastbourne are increasing due to the lack of effective on-street controls or enforcement on the streets."

The borough council had called on the county council to "hold a referendum of the electors of Eastbourne to decide if they are in favour of the pay to park charges in the town and that East Sussex County Council abide by the result of that referendum".

A county council spokesperson said: "A referendum would cost taxpayers between £40,000 and £60,000 and, bearing in mind the consultations which had already taken place, would be a waste of taxpayers' money."