Increases to Lewes parking charges postponed

An increase in county council parking charges is to be postponed until later in the year, in light of the coronavirus pandemic. 
On-street parking charges were set to go up in late AprilOn-street parking charges were set to go up in late April
On-street parking charges were set to go up in late April

At a virtual meeting on Friday (April 3), East Sussex County Council cabinet member for transport, Cllr Claire Dowling agreed to defer a planned increase to on-street parking charges until at least July 1.

The increases – for both permit and pay and display parking charges – had been set to come into force later this month (April 27).

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In a statement released after the meeting, Cllr Dowling said: “These are extremely difficult times for our communities, and we are all feeling the strain of the ongoing restrictions.

“We want to do everything we possibly can to ensure we are supporting our communities and not adding to the pressure already being experienced by businesses and residents.

“By deferring the introduction of parking charge changes, I hope we can ease some of the burden.”

The decision was taken at virtual meeting held on Skype, the second such meeting held by the county council since the national lockdown.

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Among those dialling in was ward councillor for Eastbourne Ratton Colin Belsey (Con).

He said: “This is the totally right decision because of what is happening, not only locally but nationally. 

“These increases would not be good. I think everybody appreciates the need for the increased charges, but at this moment in time this is absolutely the right decision.”

The decision was also supported by Cllr Godfrey Daniel (Lab, Hastings Braybrooke), although he argued the increase in charges should be extended by a full year.

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While this argument was not accepted, Cllr Dowling confirmed the matter would be reviewed in June and the deferral extended if necessary.

The decision comes as part of a number of changes to parking in light of the coronavirus pandemic.

Cllr Dowling said: “We are also allowing NHS workers and volunteers and social care workers to park on-street free of charge if they display a copy of their ID or an official document to make it as easy as possible for them to continue their vital work.”

Other than this parking regulations across the county remain in place and are being enforced, the council has said.

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While the deferral was recommended for approval, council officers had warned the postponement is likely to have a financial impact on the council, on top of the lower income as a result of the nationwide lockdown.

Initially the increase had been expected to bring in around £2m to the council’s accounts, however, this figure would likely have been lower as a result of the drop in footfall in towns.

The resulting loss of revenue is expected to cost between £460,000 and £2.3m, depending on the length of time and severity of the downturn, the report says.

If the increase in parking fees are deferred, council officers say, the council would be expected to lose further income, totalling somewhere between £150,000 to £920,000, depending on the length of the postponement.

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