No Agreement to Parking Proposals

Leader of Eastbourne Borough Council, Cllr Ian Lucas said at the Borough cabinet meeting “This Council rejects the parking proposals put forward by East Sussex County Council.  We believe that the proposals go too far in a number of aspects.  Residents, businesses, volunteers and the community sector all have similar concerns, and have told the County Council, but they are still intent on going forward with the report recommendations.” 

Councillor Lucas went on to say “We challenge East Sussex County Council to come back and talk to us and enter into discussions with the people of Eastbourne.  The report put forward to the County’s Cabinet meeting on 11 July, 2006 has had very little input from us.  Nothing would be lost by taking a little more time to reach a consensus on what ought to be within the scheme.”

The County’s plans for the introduction of Civil Parking Enforcement (CPE) in Eastbourne, which include the extension of on-street parking charges, were put forward to the County’s Cabinet Committee meeting held on 11 July 2006.  The report states that the introduction of CPE will allow parking restrictions in Eastbourne to be enforced more effectively.  This will allow residents living in the town centre to park more easily close to their home and allow shoppers and people on business to find a convenient short-stay space.  The scheme will help reduce congestion and the danger and inconvenience caused by illegally parked vehicles. 

Speakers at Eastbourne’s Cabinet yesterday agreed that a sensible controlled parking scheme was needed in the town, but the proposals went far beyond anything Eastbourne people and businesses wished to see introduced.   

Cllr Lucas continued ‘I am particularly concerned about the effect this scheme would have on local businesses.  There was overwhelming opposition, and that seems to have been ignored.  We are in favour of a sensible, limited scheme that eases congestion, which can grow as local people demand it.  But this scheme is too much too soon.  I am more than happy to work on acceptable proposals with the County Council’.

Councillor Ian Lucas will write to the Chairman of East Sussex County Council’s Cabinet to formally reject the proposals on behalf of the people of Eastbourne, and to challenge them to come back to the table and think again.