Free Bexhill car parks could soon start charging

Several free car parks around Rother could soon begin charging, if proposals are given the go ahead by council leaders next week.
Bottom car park Galley Hill in Bexhill. SUS-200109-155326001Bottom car park Galley Hill in Bexhill. SUS-200109-155326001
Bottom car park Galley Hill in Bexhill. SUS-200109-155326001

On Monday (September 7), Rother District Council’s cabinet is to consider proposals to introduce parking charges at eight off-street car parks – mostly in Bexhill – which are currently free to use. 

The proposals come in light of East Sussex County Council introducing on-street parking charges around Rother later this month, council papers say.

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In a report to be considered by cabinet members, a council officer said: “The introduction of Civil Parking Enforcement (CPE) is likely to increase the use off-street car parks under the council’s ownership. 

Manor Gardens car park in Bexhill SUS-200109-155406001Manor Gardens car park in Bexhill SUS-200109-155406001
Manor Gardens car park in Bexhill SUS-200109-155406001

Residents, local businesses and visitors expect that there is a parity of parking charges between equivalent areas; therefore, it is important that the cost of off-street parking is standardised between equivalent areas of the district. 

“Any increase in the use of council car parks will have associated maintenance and administration costs. The Covid-19 pandemic has compounded what was already a challenging time for the council’s finances; therefore, any increase in the council’s costs needs to be met by an increase in relevant charges.

“Furthermore, those car parks that are presently free to use do not contribute to the council’s maintenance and operational costs.”

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Seven of the eight car parks to introduce charges are in Bexhill. They include the car parks at Egerton Park and Manor Gardens and the two car parks at the top and bottom of Galley Hill. 

Manor Gardens car park in Bexhill SUS-200109-155420001Manor Gardens car park in Bexhill SUS-200109-155420001
Manor Gardens car park in Bexhill SUS-200109-155420001

Charges will also be introduced at the spaces at the Polegrove and Richmond Road and those in front of the war memorial. 

Charges will also be introduced for parking outside of the town hall, but this would only be at weekend and Bank holidays.

The final free car park to introduce charges will be at the Cricket Salts in Rye. 

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The proposals will also see changes to the charges currently in place at the Eversley Road and Wainswright Road car parks to bring them into line with the new charges elsewhere.

Top car park Galley Hill in Bexhill. SUS-200109-155259001Top car park Galley Hill in Bexhill. SUS-200109-155259001
Top car park Galley Hill in Bexhill. SUS-200109-155259001

All the car parks will charge £1 per hour.

The introduction of equipment and signage is expected to cost around £47,500.

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Richmond Road/Polegrove car park in Bexhill SUS-200109-155339001Richmond Road/Polegrove car park in Bexhill SUS-200109-155339001
Richmond Road/Polegrove car park in Bexhill SUS-200109-155339001

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