Controversial Parking charges could be introduced in parts of a seaside town under a revamped scheme.

East Sussex County Council is proposing to expand a residents' parking zone in central Eastbourne.

Zone residents would pay about £50 for an annual permit to park outside their homes and businesses would pay about £300.

Previous parking plans in 2003 faced stiff opposition amid fears charges could spark Eastbourne's economic decline by deterring visitors.

However, council bosses say they are tabling a smaller scale version this time round and hope to win public support.

John Robbins, transport strategy manager, said: "Consultation early in the new year will ask people whether they want their street included in the parking zone or not.

"We will look at that street by street. Clearly we cannot have a patchwork quilt of streets but broadly speaking we will be guided by people's wishes."

As in Brighton and Hove, people visiting the zone would have to buy vouchers. The vouchers would be available to hotels in the zone but managers would have to decide whether to absorb the cost or pass it on to guests.

Charging could come into force by autumn 2007 if the scheme wins council, public and Government approval and charges would be reviewed every autumn.

Disabled people would park free and some parking areas would be designated for permit holders while others would be available to anybody visiting the area. Enforcement would switch from the police to the borough and county councils.

The proposals, drawn up in consultation with Eastbourne Borough Council, are aimed at tackling illegal parkers, congestion and lack of parking for shoppers.

Mr Robbins said: "The down side is the cost of parking on the street. But the up side is that some of the space would be reserved for residents and their visitors and they would be protected from excessive commuter parking charges as seen in some areas."

People in Eastbourne were first consulted on parking plans in 2003.

Under those proposals, a parking zone was planned from Meads in the west to Seaside in the east. But there was uproar from some quarters. Business leaders feared Eastbourne's all-important tourist industry would wilt if the town was hit with a wave of parking charges.

They predicted lucrative events like Airbourne, the women's international tennis and skate event Eastbourne Extreme would suffer. The county council claims parking schemes in Lewes and Hastings and St Leonards have been introduced successfully.

They realise what they are planning for Eastbourne could provoke strong reactions.

Councillor Matthew Lock, East Sussex County Council's transport member, said: "Parking schemes are often unpopular initially but more towns are seeing the benefits they bring.

"They free up spaces for shoppers, make sure residents can park near their homes and any money raised gets ploughed back into road safety and better bus, cycling and walking facilities, which benefit everyone."

Council officers told The Argus the permit charge figures were not set in stone but would roughly be the same as proposed last time.

Talks with residents and businesses will take place early next year. Letters and a leaflet will be sent to businesses and homes to explain the scheme and council officers will be on hand to talk at exhibitions.

Coun Lock said: "We've got to make transport and travel much better in Eastbourne before it grinds to a halt."

Wednesday, September 7, 2005