Controversial changes to parking in Central Brighton

5.44.00pm GMT Fri 5th Jan 2007

The Council has published the following information on its controversial Central Parking Scheme. Cllr Dawn Davidson is keen for the information to be distributed as widely as possible to help residents deal with the problems.

The recent review of parking in central Brighton proposed a number of changes including:

• Increasing the availability of resident parking, by introduction of greater flexibility and shared resident and pay & display bays

• Removing free parking

• Reduction of resident permit waiting lists

• Replace voucher parking with pay & display machines

• Replace the existing small residential zones A, B, D, E, F, G, K and L with two larger zones: south and north central Brighton.

When will it start?

The intention is to start work in January 2007, with the scheme coming into force in April / May 2007. This will involve 'signing and lining' every road and the placement of pay & display machines.

"What is going to happen while the work is being carried out?"

Unfortunately, there will be some disruption during the signing and lining work.

We need the street to be empty of vehicles when carrying out lining work so please look out for the warning notices which we will place in the street at least 24 hours before we start work, and ensure you move your car out of the street. A timetable of the order of work can be downloaded from the council website or can be posted on request.

Whilst changes are being made, it will be more difficult to enforce some bays. We will keep this to a minimum but ask for your patience during this time. Please check the council website or at the Parking Shops for up-to-date information on progress.

Double yellow lines will be enforceable at all times during the transition.

"Will residents be able to buy visitor permits?"

The new proposals will mean all residents in Central Brighton will be able to purchase up to 25 visitor permits per year, per resident. At the moment, only residents in three zones within central Brighton are entitled to purchase visitor permits.

"Pay & Display machines are replacing parking vouchers. When will parking vouchers be withdrawn"?

Parking vouchers will be withdrawn when pay & display machines are in place and operational. You will be able to use vouchers for a further six weeks after the pay & display machines are in use. Refunds will not be given for unused vouchers.

Temporary signs will warn drivers of the impending changes and our parking attendants will be available to explain the changes to motorists. Leaflets are available at parking shops, voucher outlets and all information is on the web site.

"Where will the pay & display machines be located?"

The pay & display machines will be sited in the best possible locations to allow minimum disruption to residents and businesses. Within conservation areas the council's design & consultation team will be asked to help site the machines. A map showing the proposed location of pay & display machines and on-street parking regulations can be downloaded from the council website.

Will double yellow lines replace all single yellow lines?

The removal of single yellow lines and replacement with double yellow lines is only to be undertaken where safety and / or access problems exist. It is acknowledged that the single yellow lines provide a valuable facility for overnight parking and therefore existing single yellow line restrictions were individually assessed during the detailed design exercise to determine the appropriate course of action.

"I hear that double yellow lines will be placed at the end of driveways. Like many of our neighbours, we regularly park at the end of our driveway. Won't doing this will further reduce available parking space?"

Double yellow line restrictions will apply across all vehicle accesses. Whilst this means that residents or their guests will not be able to park across a garage or drive access, it will ensure that these remain unblocked and enforceable by the parking attendants at all times. Unfortunately, white return lines are only advisory and cannot be enforced by the parking attendants.

"I want to construct a crossover to provide off-street parking. Who do I need to speak to?"

The Streetworks team on (01273) 293366 will be able to arrange for crossover application to be sent out. As your area is now under consideration for a scheme the Traffic Regulation team would also need to inspect the site prior to any approval.

"I am a blue badge holder. What will the changes mean for me?"

Blue badge holders will be able to park free of charge in any of the new pay & display bays (including shared use bays) for an unlimited period.

Blue badge holders who live within the scheme may apply for a residents' permit for a nominal fee of £5. This will entitle you to park in resident only bays as well as shared use bays (resident/Pay & Display). You will need a residents' permit in order to be able to park in the residents' only bays.

"Will the scheme be changed in any way during the implementation?"

Any minor changes to the proposed scheme which appear to be desirable during implementation of the scheme will be publicly advertised and, subject to consideration of any representations and objections, incorporated as soon as practicable in the scheme by means of an amendment order.