PARKING FEARS FOR ST lEONARDS MAIN STREET

A borough council consultation exercise has now started to try to solve the twin problems of traffic congestion in the shopping streets of London Road and Kings Road as well as the increasing demand for residents' parking in the area.

Council employees have already appeared locally recording the registration numbers of the most frequently parked cars in a bid to assess the number of parking spaces required and the problems that are caused by illegally or inconsiderately parked vehicles.

Now there are fears among residents and traders that South Street, St Leonards, one of the few streets left in the commercial hub to offer free on-street parking, will be changed.

Residents and businesses are worried that parking will become metered while shoppers and those using the businesses are concerned they will be shut out if the street is redesignated as residents-only.

Andy Izzard, manager of opticians Barraclough and Stiles, whose business backs on to South Street, said: "There's undoubtedly a lack of parking in the area and we can't lose any more. I'd like to see the council reduce the charges in the Cross Street pay-and-display car park.

When you're working everyday, 5 is a ridiculous amount. It's that sort of cost that's forcing people back on to the streets."

A London road resident, a 42-year-old mother who asked not to be named, said: "It's getting silly. If I park my car at the back of my home, I daren't take it out again because someone will jump into the space and I'll end up having to park somewhere my car is out of view. I'm not prepared to do that. There's too much car vandalism."

"If they bring in residents-only, it'll cost me. If they bring in meters, I'll be priced out of the street."

But this week the council strove to allay fears with a spokesman stressing: "This is just the start of the consultation.

"We have no preconceived ideas and we are simply looking to see whether there are any issues for residents or visitors.

"There are no plans to change anything at the moment."