Town parking meter scheme on hold

The Liberal Democrat borough council has led town protests

A controversial parking meter scheme in East Sussex is on hold after the local council threatened a legal challenge.

The controlled parking zone (CPZ) for Eastbourne is being led by the county council, but there have been strong objections in the town itself.

The ruling Liberal Democrats on the borough council were set to seek an injunction at the High Court on what they called a "procedural" matter.

Now the county council could postpone Monday's planned meter activation.

A spokesman said: "Eastbourne Borough Council has raised a technical legal point... which has not been tested in court.

"We need to resolve this but we do not believe taxpayers' money should be wasted by this being dealt with in court.

We hope they halt the entire pay-to-park scheme forthwith Stephen Lloyd

"If this means we have to change the date of implementation, then it is better that the scheme is right than that we rush this through."

The county council had said 150 "intelligent" parking machines - which could order their own service or text for help in the event of vandalism - were due to be activated in the town on Monday.

But Stephen Lloyd, Lib Dem Parliamentary Spokesman for Eastbourne and Willingdon, said many now had black bin bags and yellow tape on them.

Mr Lloyd claimed the Conservative county council had "blinked" in the long-running battle over the CPZ.

He added: "We are now waiting to hear what they propose.

"We hope they listen to the views of the thousands of residents in Eastbourne who have supported our campaign, and halt the entire pay-to-park scheme forthwith."