Little Common motorists spared parking charges

Monday's meeting heard that usage of the car park between Birk Dale and Cooden Sea Road has plummeted since Rother decided to charge for the previously-free car parks as part of a revenue-producing initiative during its struggle to fix a budget this Spring.

Both Sussex Police and the county council opposed the moves.

But Monday's meeting voted to go ahead with a 1 charge for the first two hours at Wainwright Road car park and 3 for over two hours with an 80 penalty, reduced to 60 if paid within 14 days.

Director of resources Joy Cooper said public consultation, which has now ended, had revealed much stronger opposition to the Little Common scheme than to Wainwright Road.

"There is a strand through several objections that at 1, the minimum charge for very short-term parking by shoppers etc. is too high.

"These objections might be met by the introduction of an 'up to one hour' band at 50p."

But cabinet came to the swift conclusion that charging at Little Common would not be the revenue-earner for which they had hoped.

Cllr Brian Kentfield said: "Now that we have received the consultation results back I have no hesitation is moving the recommendation as regards Wainwright Road.

"But as far as the one at Little Common is concerned I have great concerns.

"Over the last two months since the consultation on the charges use of the car park has dropped dramatically."

He moved that the cabinet take no action over Little Common car park.

Cllr Stuart Earl said he had been conducting his own survey on use of the car park, checking it at varying times.

Referring to the cost of installing pay-and-display machines and paying for the car park to be checked, he added: "I don't think the economics add up..."

Cllr Deirdre Williams spoke out against charging at Wainwright Road. "I do have concern for the businesses in Beeching Road." Many already suffered from parking on their forecourts and this could only get worse if charges were introduced.