Brighton and Hove City councillor refuses reader's parking challenge

Frustrated pensioner Don McBeth wrote a letter in this paper last month disputing Councillor Trevor Muten’s claims that people without a phone can reach any shop to pay for their parking.

He challenged the Brighton and Hove City councillor to go to Pembroke Gardens in Hove and find a shop near enough to pay for parking within the five minute time limit before getting a ticket.

Don, from Hassocks, quipped that Cllr Muten could employ famous sprinter Usain Bolt to run to a shop on his behalf.

Cllr Muten is the council's lead councillor for transport

Cllr Muten did not agree to take up Don's challenge but did offer advice to people on advice for the transition to pay by phone parking.

Don said: “I would like to present Cllr Muten with a challenge. He is to drive his car to Pembroke Gardens in Hove and find a parking space at location 85511. He then has to find a shop in the city with a PayPoint sign and pay for his car. 

“I will be at Pembroke Gardens to see fair play and I will of course be accompanied by a parking warden with parking tickets and a stop watch in hand.

“I am an old age pensioner and would love to see this done within the time that Cllr Muten thinks ‘anyone’ can do this from ‘any’ parking bay in the city. In fact I will make it easy for him by adding that if he wishes he can employ Usain Bolt to act for him as a substitute when attempting the task.”

Cllr Muten said he understood that some people may take more than five minutes after parking their vehicle to find a PayPoint vendor in line with the nationally observed five minute period traffic wardens wait for.

He said drivers can appeal against parking tickets if they feel they have not been given adequate time to make their payment.

Ticket machines started to be removed from March this year.

Some people are worried about 'digital exclusion' with new pay by phone methods

Lead councillor for transport Trevor Muten said: “We recognise that for some people, the transition from cash-payment ticket machines to pay by phone parking may be challenging.

“We are listening to the experiences of residents and visitors and this is informing our ongoing review of parking. As part of this review, we will be looking at expanding the number of pay points in the city.

“The vast majority of parking spaces in the city centre are in off-street car parks run by the Churchill Square shopping centre, NCP and the council. Cash can still be used in these car parks. 

“Blue Badge holders can park for free unlimited time in on-street parking spaces. Paying customers looking to use on-street parking in the city, can pay in one of the following ways:

• Using the Pay by Phone app
• using SMS text on your phone – you do not need a smartphone for this
• by phone on 01273 458 458 using your credit or debit card – you do not need a smartphone for this
• with cash or card at one of the city’s PayPoint vendors.

“Drivers can appeal against penalty charge notices if they believe they have not been given adequate time to make their payment. When considering appeals, we take into account the distance the driver travelled to make the payment.”