New plan to solve parking chaos

Meters installed last year have still not been activated

A new plan to sort out parking chaos in a seaside town which has refused to accept parking meters is being put before residents and businesses.

A feud erupted when East Sussex County Council (ESCC) tried to introduce extra parking charges on Eastbourne streets.

The borough council mounted a legal challenge last year which resulted in new parking meters being covered up.

"I believe our proposals will help address this situation," said ESCC councillor Matthew Lock.

"There are real road safety issues to consider and the town's economy and tourism can only realise full potential if its transport system is fit for purpose.

"Currently it is not."

The dispute between the Conservative-run ESCC and Lib-Dem Eastbourne council means there is no enforcement of parking restrictions.

We will make it abundantly clear we are against pay to park David Tutt

As a result, some drivers are parking on double yellow lines and blocking loading bays and residents' spaces.

"The result is that emergency services and buses are delayed, delivery lorries can't get to shops and residents in the town centre are forced to drive around looking for a space wherever they can," said Mr Lock.

ESCC has asked the Secretary of State for Transport to intervene, but while it waits, it has come up with new proposals.

A controlled parking zone, which would include part of the seafront, would have a mixture of two-hour, four-hour and all-day pay-and-display places.

There would also be permit spaces for residents, businesses and visitors and bays for blue badge holders.

Leader of Eastbourne council, David Tutt, said it was still against the parking scheme and urged residents to comment.

"We will be making our views known to the county council," he said.

"We will make it abundantly clear that we are against pay-to-park."

ESCC is asking for responses to the new proposals in writing by 16 May.