I see the Greens are trying to extend parking permits in the Preston Drove area and perhaps even Stanmer Park, of all places. Where will it end?
Surely these are taxes too far (literally).
The Greens must know they are on borrowed time yet they seem hell-bent on micromanaging the whole of parking in Brighton, as they have already done for the entire Hove area below the A27.
Given that there are nearly 94,000 registered car-owners in the city, plus thousands of van-owners, these represent too juicy a target for previously non-existent taxes and fines.
If even half of these have to pay £130 in parking permits, this would bring in a copper-bottomed income of well over £6 million a year, not including funds raised from visitors’ and traders’ permits and fines.
Imagine the income if the whole city was covered, including far-flung suburbs.
Surely these anti-motorist measures are more to do with exploiting them for a guaranteed income stream than for any motives of wellbeing.
The bigger fear is that if either Labour or Conservatives return to power, then they will just accept the Greens’ status quo and do nothing to stop or roll back these hated measures. After all, the new tax-take would be too tempting to reduce.
It would be a good idea to lobby these opposition politicians now, especially those on the Transport Committee.
They have already combined to block some 20mph extensions. They can do it again with these parking proposals, and thereby prove they are actually listening. Or am I just dreaming?
Nigel Davis, Hollingdean Terrace, Brighton
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel