Campaigners against a controversial park-and-ride scheme have said it will not cut city centre congestion.

Brighton and Hove City Council hopes to build a park-and-ride at either Patcham Court Farm or Braypool, in Brighton, as part of a plan to tackle congestion and improve the air quality and local economy.

But campaigners say independent research shows park-and-rides have not contributed to cutting traffic congestion in city centres and want greater focus on improving Brighton and Hove's public transport network to alleviate the problem and protect the South Downs.

Research by Dr Graham Parkhurst, of The University of London's Centre for Transport Studies, in 1999 questioned the Government's only report on park-and-ride, written by WS Atkins, by highlighting some of its figures.

The 1998 report showed between nine and 26 per cent of park-and-ride users previously used public transport as opposed to cars.

At Brighton's existing Withdean park-and-ride, half drove in but 18 per cent used to reach the city centre by bus and 16 per cent cycled.

Brighton, Hove and Mid-Sussex Friends of the Earth campaigner Chris Todd said: "This shows people will switch from different modes of transport and the number of people switching can be substantially from public transport.

"No congestion benefits have been noted in other cities and park-and-ride is likely to result in an increase in traffic."

He believes another park-and-ride should only be considered as far afield as Gatwick to ensure public transport use.

Instead, he wants Brighton and Hove City Council to make buses quicker and more convenient by investing in the network and reviewing the bus lanes and bus stops to avoid bottle-necks. He also wants to see more use of the vehicles' satellite system so traffic lights change when they approach.

He suggested more and safer cycle paths and a 'major shift in thinking' so train services to a city, which is ultimately a tourist destination, are not reduced at weekends.

He said: "I agree with the council there has to be an integrated approach but we have a good bus network which isn't being made the most of.

"We have the infrastructure already so we should be developing that instead of starting something new that would actually take money away from it."

Selma Montford, of The Brighton Society, which campaigns for local issues, insisted a park-and-ride could only be considered if the same number of spaces were removed from the city centre and an alternative area to the proposed sites was found.

She said: "If people use the park-and-ride, others will move into their parking spaces.

"Removing the same number of spaces as the park-and-ride is the only way to cut congestion and pollution because that's the only way to reduce traffic levels."

A council spokesman said a bus-based park-and-ride would encourage more people to use buses.

He added: "Park-and-ride is part of a wider sustainable transport policy that includes improving the bus system and promoting public transport.

"This involves phased lighting and improved bus systems. Lanes for cyclists and pedestrians will also be enhanced."

June 3, 2005