Police warn against car park charges

Both the county council and Sussex Police Road Policing Department warn that charging for use of the three car parks could lead to increased congestion on neighbouring roads.

The county is also concerned about the "detrimental effect" on village shopping in Little Common and Sidley and fears it will drive even more shoppers into the arms of out-of-town centres such as Ravenside and The Crumbles.

As a concession, it is asking if Rother has considered an initial free hour.

Rother director of services Tony Leonard will warn Monday's cabinet that if increased congestion became a problem the county might respond by imposing new on-street parking restrictions.

Rother has been considering imposing fees of 1 to park for two hours and 3 for over two hours in the Little Common, Sidley and Wainwright Road car parks.

The fund-raising proposal was drawn up from officer's reports requested by cabinet last October.

Mark Dunn, of the Sussex Road Policing Department Command, has told Rother: "These changes are not being introduced at the same time as on street parking charges and we know from experience that where this situation has occurred in other areas, problems are caused by displaced parking from the car parks moving to on street parking.

"This leads to avoidable congestion and complaints from residential areas.

"Little Common (Birk Dale). This car park is used during the school run were there are already the usual school-associated traffic problems.

"These problems will undoubtedly be exacerbated as a result of charging."