Residents will get their say on how to spend £20,000 generated from parking charges – but many claim they would still prefer to park their car for free.

The cash has been generated from pay and display machines at Preston Park, which were introduced in June 2012.

The scheme was met with |anger from many nearby residents, with a petition launched against the plans.

And they have not been placated despite the council promising to spend the extra £20,000 generated from the machines on improving Preston Park.

‘Elitist’ Instead they point to the figure as bringing into question the council’s main reason given last year – to reduce traffic.

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Leia Monsoon, who gathered more than 250 signatures in a petition against the parking measures, said the revenue disguised the true loss to the community.

She said: “They might have made the money and may spend that but what about all the people who could not afford to go to their local park?

“What about the child who could not practise on his bike because his mum could not afford to park?

“The pay and display bays are almost always empty – it is elitist and should be free.”

She added the offer of improving the park did not appease her as she already paid council tax which should go towards improving amenities such as Preston Park.

Preston Park resident Mel Hickford said she would prefer the money to be spent on publicising the heritage of the park.

She said: “It seems like a lot of money to raise from parking. I do not use my car in the park – but families with small children who want to visit will find it very expensive.

“It doesn’t seem sensible to spend the extra money on cricket and the velodrome. It should be spent on the heritage of Brighton’s first park.”

A council spokesperson said: “Parking charges were introduced after 2,200 people petitioned the council to complain that Preston Park was rapidly becoming a free car park for commuters, residents and visitors.

“A review of the scheme has shown it to be successful in tackling these issues.

The council has drawn up a list of improvements and has said all work will “visibly enhance the park and |facilities, and/or restore a historic feature”.

The results of the consultation will be displayed on notice boards in the park and online in December 2013.

Any project which does not get the go ahead now will be considered in future once further funding is available.

Click here to take part.