Lib Dems call on County Council to scrap the parking charges in Eastbourne

12.00.00am GMT Fri 20th Mar 2009

Local campaigners, residents and businesses are calling on the County Council to scrap the town-centre parking charges.

Campaigners are arguing that the 'pay to park' scheme, which was introduced last year against massive local opposition, is crippling many town-centre independent traders and is hurting local residents at a time of recession.

The Lib Dems, who fought against the charges from the beginning, have announced that scrapping the parking charges will be a major part of their election campaign for June's County Council elections.

Eastbourne Borough Council Leader David Tutt said, "The Lib Dems are calling on the County Council to scrap 'pay to park' immediately. Most people did not want the parking scheme to begin with - but now it is here, everyone can see that it just isn't working."

"If the Lib Dems are elected to run East Sussex County Council this June, one of our first actions will be to reverse the undemocratic parking charges. Whatever the election result, we hope that the Conservative County Council will finally listen to local residents and businesses in Eastbourne and scrap the charges straight away."

"This whole issue isn't just about stopping illegal parking. It's about an unnecessary stealth tax that was forced on Eastbourne by the Conservatives, against the wishes of the people. If the charges are scrapped, a Liberal Democrat Council would fund sufficient wardens to police illegal parking."

Mr Steve Florides, who runs popular Terminus Road Greek restaurant 'Athens', says the parking scheme has hit his restaurant hard. He commented, "The parking charges have killed our lunchtime trade and business is down more than 40% compared to a year ago. People don't want to pay to park and so less people are coming to this part of town. Many of our neighbours who run other restaurants are in a similar situation."

Local Lib Dem campaigner Stephen Lloyd, who led the campaign against the parking charges, commented, "Over £1million of our Council Tax money has been spent bringing in 'pay to park' - but not a single penny of that has been given back to Eastbourne. Instead, the money has gone to parking company NCP, whose heavy-handed traffic wardens have been causing havoc across the town. I believe enough is enough."

"When I recently visited the Athens restaurant, the owners Mr & Mrs Florides explained at length just how damaging 'pay to park' has been for their business and others like it. I have heard identical stories from other small traders in the town centre. It is clear that 'pay to park' has proven a disaster for Eastbourne."

"With the crucial tourist season heading our way, it is vital that the County Council take their heads out of the sand and scrap the charges now. At the very least, they should bring forward their planned review of the scheme. Otherwise it may be too late for some of our small shops and businesses."