Delivery drivers are refusing to visit seafront businesses due to the number of parking tickets they are getting.

Traders are now calling on Brighton and Hove City Council bosses to step in after arguing it is impossible for drivers to deliver within the allotted time given.

Adam Chinery, owner of Brighton Watersports in Kings Road, told The Argus he had lost business as a result of the problem.

He said: “I have tried to bring this to the council’s attention but they don’t seem particularly bothered.

“Delivery men coming to my shop can’t physically make it from the loading bay and back in five minutes. They need to do something about it because it is damaging business down here.”

The loading bays along Kings Road, such as the one outside Buddies Restaurant, are used by businesses along that road and under the arches. It was understood that drivers had a 30- minute window to carry their deliveries – as the roadside sign states.

This was until a number of tickets were issued for stays well under the half-hour limit.

Mr Chinery, who is a member of the Seafront Traders’ Association, said: “The last ticket was issued to a delivery driver of mine after 11 minutes. The vehicle had boxes of stock clearly visible through the windows and had a note saying he was delivering to my business. I questioned the warden, and he referred me to the council website and said there was a five-minute limit.”

Infuriated, Mr Chinery decided to time how long it took to get from the bay across four lanes of traffic to his business.

He said: “It was three-and-a-half minutes one way. So there and back is already over the five-minute limit. That’s without allowing the business owner to check the delivery or sign or anything like that. It’s madness – it’s just not possible.

“There are four very busy lanes of traffic to get across as well.”

A council spokeswoman said: “Time restrictions for loading bays can differ depending on their location.

“Drivers of commercial vehicles using loading bays are given a ten minute grace period to make their delivery or collection, as long as they are seen to be loading or unloading during this time. The grace period for non-commercial vehicles is five minutes. In addition, deliveries for seafront premises can be made between 6am and 11am on the lower promenade.

“The regulations are set out on our website www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/content/ parking-and-travel/parking/loading-and-unloading".