Hundreds are objecting to Brighton and Hove Council's proposals to create a new permit parking area.

They say the scheme in central Hove is not necessary and amounts to an extra tax.

But anyone who travels around this part of the city by bus, by car or on foot can see there are severe traffic and parking problems.

They can only become worse over the next few years as the number of people owning cars continues to increase.

Opinion is fairly evenly divided in the area which is why the council is offering a discount on permits for the first year.

But it's worth having a scheme in this busy area, especially when the council takes over parking control from the police later this year.

The council should listen to residents and make adjustments where necessary. There will be improvements that can be made, especially after the first few months have highlighted any problems.

The experience of the most recent schemes brought into operation in Brighton and Hove indicates it will succeed.

There was some opposition in Brunswick and a lot around the Royal Sussex County Hospital but both schemes have now settled down.

Residents do have to pay but they get a better supply of parking spaces as a result.