Sports clubs angry over parking

IRATE sporting groups, including Lewes Football Club, are pleading with Lewes District Council to bring back free Saturday parking at the Dripping Pan car park, off Mountfield Road, Lewes.

The council recently introduced charges at the car park which was previously free at the weekend.

The car park is the only one available for people using nearby football, cricket, bowls, croquet, pitch-and-putt and tennis facilities.

Said Alan Waters, a director of Lewes Football Club, which has used the Dripping Pan since 1885: 'It is embarrassing for us that both home and travelling supporters will now have to pay to park at our home matches when normally they expect somewhere free to park.

'We feel we have been kicked in the teeth, having done so well as a club and having raised the image of football in the town.

'We also support free parking on Saturdays for users of other sports facilities on the Convent Field.

John Edwards, president of Lewes St Michael s Cricket Club, said: 'This is a major inconvenience for our players and visitors.

'We have written to the council, asking it to reconsider.

'People are becoming aware nationally of the advantages of health and fitness and here we have a local bureaucracy that provides an obstacle to the use of the excellent sports facilities provided.

Mr Edwards also warned that more people would park in Mountfield Road, causing problems for residents, as a result of the charges.

Cllr Judith Ost, cabinet member for corporate policies said: 'We introduced car parking charges to raise money for priority services, including IT and recycling.

'We also aim to have an equitable and sensible policy that is the same across the district.