Traders who held a protest against parking charges have been told the council will not give way.

They held a go-slow convoy in Brighton and Hove on Wednesday morning against the decision of the council to charge £3 a day for waivers allowing them to park on yellow lines while carrying out work.

Environment councillor Chris Morley said: "Controlled parking in the city is here to stay and there is no reason for traders to be exempt when everyone else must pay.

"We met a delegation of traders last week and agreed that they would present us with alternative proposals in writing by Wednesday.

"We asked them to call off their protest until we had a chance to look at them.

"Unfortunately they refused and I am afraid their tactics will only annoy other residents and businesses.

"Taking over the enforcement of parking and introducing controlled parking zones has vastly improved congestion and made our streets much safer.

"It is freeing up our road networks so police, fire and ambulance vehicles can respond to emergencies much faster. Buses are now operating more efficiently and refuse vehicles can get down the streets to collect rubbish.

"Traders should be prepared to play their part by paying a small fee for a parking waiver when carrying out work within controlled zones.

"Everyone else who parks on controlled parking zone streets pays in one form or another.

Residents buy annual permits, commuters and shoppers use pay-and-display tickets and companies within the zones that need vehicles to carry out business pay annual permits."