Drivers have £33-a-day charge axed in huge victory for motorists
Drivers have been handed a huge victory with £33-a-day fees AXED by a leading council. Brighton Council is reducing the cost of parking permits in the south coast city in a bid to welcome more and more day trippers, who it was feared were being scared away.
A report discussed by the council on Thursday, September 26, outlined the new need for action. It said: "Over several decades, at least 200 different tariffs have been established, which include high, medium, and low emission tariffs for resident permits and visitor on-street parking.
"As a result, there is now a complex array of parking tariffs that are likely deterring visitors and residents alike." The most expensive council-run car park in Brighton, the Lanes, costs £33.50 to park for nine hours or £24 for four hours.
READ MORE Strictly Spoiler leaks and leaves viewers 'kinda shocked' after upsetting exit
Cllr Trevor Muten, the cabinet member for transport, told The Telegraph newspaper in the UK this week that parking fees had "increased to the extent they have become more of a deterrent than an incentive for some visitors."
Tory Cllr Alistair McNair, who leads the council's opposition group said: "Parking revenue has been falling and the council has a reputation for being anti-car. We hope resident permit holders also get a reduction in their fees and this city starts to be car-friendly, which also means family and disabled-friendly.
"This parking charge reduction, while welcome, is a gamble as revenue could fall further because the city's reputation has been tarnished for years." The changes come after the Green Party had hoped to make the city "car free".
In May 2023, the Labour Party retook control of Brighton City Council from the Green Party and reversed measures designed to discourage visitors from driving to the area. The former council leadership hoped by making the area 'car free' it would make the area more pleasant for visitors and increase footfall.