TRADERS QUIT PARKING GROUP

Lewes Chamber of Commerce, which represents more than 200 local business, says its views have been largely ignored by the local councils and NCP which also make up the Board.

Said chamber president David Quinn: 'We joined the Board two years to make sure we got our voice across. This has not happened.

'We feel now we could do a better job from the outside.

'We don't want to go back to the old free-for-all days, there are things in the scheme that work.

'But we feel the wardens are too draconian - not shopper-friendly enough. And there should be more lee-way in the way fines are handed out.

'We are disappointed and angry.'

Chamber traffic spokesman Kevin Scott added: 'We have always agreed that Lewes parking needed better management.

'We even supported the idea of decriminalised parking with on street charges; but we were promised a "soft touch'' in Lewes, not the current sledgehammer approach.

'The objectives could have been achieved with a simpler scheme that prohibited long term parking in all town centre streets from Monday to Friday.

'What we have got is a heavily policed, expensive scheme that, despite the commuter having been identified as the culprit, starts at 8am and includes Saturdays.

'We repeatedly ask why Lewes has a scheme that would not be out of place in a London borough rather than a small market town, but we never get a satisfactory answer.'

John Robbins, county council transport adviser, said: 'Naturally, we are sorry to see the chamber leave, but it doesn't come as any great surprise.

'They felt slightly constrained in being part of the Board.

'We hope we can continue to work together in a sensible way.'