Brighton and Hove Liberal Democrats have launched a fresh attempt to see parking tariffs reduced across the city.
IN A DEPUTATION to the Environment, Transport and Sustainability committee on Tuesday January 20, the Liberal Democrats will call for a 50% reduction to on- and off-street parking charges as well as a 7.14% reduction in the cost of a resident’s parking permit.
Lib Dem attempts to introduce free Sunday parking – after presenting a petition backed by 1,288 people to the full council – were thwarted in June after the Green and Labour parties united to defeat the proposal.
A review of Sunday parking charges was to be looked at in the fees and tariffs annual review, but has been dismissed in the report which will also be considered at Tuesday’s meeting.
Jeremy Gale is standing for the Lib Dems in Central Hove at the coming local elections in May.
He said: “For too long residents and visitors have been subjected to excessive and punitive parking tariffs which not only impact on our local businesses, but also hurt people on lower incomes.
“This punitive approach looks set to continue with the Greens now proposing a jaw-dropping doubling of parking charges.
“Whilst local Lib Dem policy is for free Sunday parking to be introduced across the city, our deputation on Tuesday attempts to find some middle ground.
“We need only look to neighbouring Worthing District Council, who have slashed their hourly tariff by 40% with staggering results. The first months of 2014 saw a 13% increase in customer use compared with the same period in 2013 – equivalent to 42,610 extra visitors.
“I hope that councillors will table an amendment asking for the proposal to be costed out, which will allow them to make a full and considered decision.”