Brighton: Butcher’s parking fine after new CCTV installed

Graham Maides, who owns and runs M&B Meats in London Road, Brighton, received his first ticket on Thursday for parking outside the shop to load his van for deliveries.

One of his suppliers has already pulled out of delivering after receiving a parking ticket.

Even the commercial refuse collector has fallen foul of what Mr Maides believes is a new parking regime.

A23 London Road Preston Road Red Route Bhcc

He said: “Where the Santander was, now Costa, is where the loading bay is. We used to have one by Poundland but then the bus stop moved and the pavement was extended. We never used to have a bus stop there.

“There is a tiny area before the bus stop but if another van pulls in to deliver they get a ticket for being on the bus stop.

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“We’ve only just started getting tickets as we didn’t know about the camera. Now everyone has them.

“A lot of the time, the area in front of the shop is filled with Deliveroo drivers for the KFC. Sometimes there are seven scooters on the pavement.”

Mr Maides, who has run his independent business for 26 years, fears that if his suppliers refuse to deliver it will be the end because his shop has no rear access.

Delivery Scooters Outside Kfc London Road Next To Mb Meats on Google Maps May 2023

He is also worried by Brighton and Hove City Council’s proposal for a no-stopping red route along London Road, with the loading bays 150ft away. He said that it was too far for suppliers whose deliveries included 150lb pig carcasses.

Mr Maides said it was particularly frustrating that his fine was issued before 7am when disruption to buses and other traffic was minimal.

He rents a private parking space and has an annual ticket for the London Road car park.

Butcher Parking Ticket

He said: “I’m paying £3,000 a year to park our vans when they’re not in use and getting fined for parking for deliveries to earn the money to pay for parking.”

The red route consultation is now open on the council website until September 17.

A map included as part of the consultation shows a loading bay just south of Ann Street, a second small bay south of York Hill and a third on the opposite side of the road, north of Baker Street.

Labour councillor Trevor Muten, who chairs the transport and sustainability committee, said: “We’ve installed a new CCTV camera on the London Road to help keep the northbound bus stop opposite Francis Street clear.

“This followed complaints that buses were continually unable to access the bus stop due to other vehicles parking in it.

“It is well known that vehicles other than buses are not permitted to stop in a bus stop, including to unload. This applies 24/7.

“Penalty charge notices issued for parking on double yellow lines can be appealed against online by providing evidence of loading.

“In June 2021, councillors agreed in principle to introduce red routes along this stretch of the London Road and also on the Lewes Road.

“Red routes are designed to improve safety, traffic flow and air quality.

“We are currently engaging with the community on what red routes will look like and a further period of consultation will start once the restrictions are in place for a period of 18 months.

“We would encourage local people and traders to give us their feedback.”