Plans for a new park and ride in the city are set to be reviewed.

Brighton and Hove City Council is planning to launch the new transport scheme for next summer.

It would begin with at least one new park and ride site, which could then be expanded across the city. 

The authority has said it is in discussions with private companies over using their car parks for parking spaces, as well as reviewing council car parks.

Existing car park owners should get in touch with the council if they think they could offer a suitable location.

Councillor Trevor Muten, cabinet member for transport, parking and public realm, said: “A park and ride scheme for Brighton and Hove is something that’s been discussed for well over two decades, but we’re determined to now make it a reality.

“We’re having very useful conversations with private companies about potentially using their car parks as part of the scheme. We’d love to hear from any others who think they may be able to offer a viable solution.

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“Setting up our first park and ride site will also provide us with valuable data and learning as we develop our new scheme.

“This approach has been a useful starting point for several other local authorities. For example, Oxford has a very successful park and ride scheme that began with a small trial.

“We’ll continue to develop options and I’ll be very happy to share our new approach with cabinet in December.

“We want a park and ride scheme that will give residents and visitors a reliable and sustainable way to visit and travel around the city.”

Currently, the city’s park and ride operates from Withdean Sports Complex where drivers can park their cars before getting a 27 bus into the centre of town.

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Visitors often criticise the system for not having its own dedicated bus service and taking too long to get to the beach.

Brighton and Hove Buses proposed a trial using Mill Road – similar to the football match-day scheme – to start in June 2022. Buses were to run between there and the centre of Brighton.

But, with no assurances from the Highways Agency that signs on the A23 and A27 would be in place in time, Brighton and Hove Buses dropped its plans.