New park car parking scheme runs into problems

A scheme to charge people to park at Stanmer Park has run into problems on its first day.

Bemsused visitors were left scratching their heads today (Friday April 1) and wondering if the new charges were an April Fool’s joke asthey tried to pay to park their cars at the popular site.

The payment machines were not working properly and Brighton and Hove Council has been forced to put the new scheme on hold for the day.

A council spokesperson said: “We were due to introduce parking charges at Stanmer Park today. But there has been a problem with the card payment machines.

“We are working to resolve this and we expect them to be fully working tomorrow. Alternative methods of payment are available using pay by phone and app.

“We have stopped enforcement in the affected car parks for the period the machines are out of action.”

Brighton and Hove City Council said the changes are being introduced in response to residents’ concerns over parking and insisted income from the car parking charges will be ring-fenced for use in Stanmer Park.