Angry Brighton and Hove traders are leaving their vans at home for their latest protest against a Parking policy.

Members of Traders Against Parking Persecution (Tapp) will demonstrate outside Brighton Town Hall on Thursday.

The protest has been planned to coincide with a meeting of Brighton and Hove City Council's environment committee, when councillors will discuss new parking schemes, including one for the Prestonville area of Brighton, close to Seven Dials.

Tapp has decided against staging any more white van go-slow protests while discussions take place on ways to resolve their concerns.

Six previous protests, in which a convoy of traders drove at a snail's pace during morning and evening rush hours, caused major delays.

On Thursday, the traders will stick to foot and lobby councillors as they enter the meeting.

Tapp's Roger McArthur said: "We have been having discussions with Hove MP Ivor Caplin and he has asked us not to stage any more traffic disrupting demonstrations while talks with the council continue.

"We will be protesting outside the council meeting to remind councillors we are still angry and will carry out more vehicle demonstrations if we don't get anywhere.

"We still want changes so we can carry out our work without having to worry about whether we will get a parking ticket.

"The bother of getting a waiver and having to finish all jobs by 4pm to avoid getting tickets is making it not worth doing certain work in the centre of Brighton and Hove."

For almost two years, the traders have been demanding changes to the £3 waiver scheme, which allows them to park where there are yellow lines.

They also want changes to the Traders Parking Permit, which can be purchased to enable them to park in residents parking bays and other controlled areas.

Friday July 25, 2003