Owners of small businesses have called for controversial parking plans in Eastbourne to be scrapped.

Members of the Eastbourne and Wealden branch of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) predict shops will be forced to close and the town's economy will fall into a state of stagnation if the plan goes ahead.

They have demanded a meeting with police to find an alternative to forcing residents, visitors and traders to buy permits and vouchers.

Andrew Stuart, branch chairman of the FSB, said: "Our suggestions have been largely ignored and the resulting proposals are totally inadequate."

Mr Stuart admitted the town's parking system could be improved but said common sense improvements were the way forward.

He held up Brighton and Hastings as examples of areas which bore the scars of parking charges and said the only people to profit were private companies and consultants who lined their pockets with fines.

Under the parking proposals, put forward by East Sussex County Council and Eastbourne Borough Council, residents in central parking zones would pay £52 a year for the privilege of parking outside their homes, while businesses would have to cough up £300 a year.

Visitors to the town centre would pay 50p for a day voucher or £5 for ten vouchers, bought from parking shops.

If, after consultation, the council approves the scheme it could come into force by spring 2005.

Wednesday October 22, 2003