Hastings parking charges increase from today

East Sussex County Council has increased both its permit and on-street pay and display parking charges throughout Eastbourne, Hastings and the Lewes district.

The increases were originally set to come into force on April 27, but were delayed the same month in the early days of the coronavirus lockdown.

The increase will see pay and display parking charges rise by between 20p and £1.90 for county council parking spaces in Eastbourne, Hastings and Lewes.

The cost of most parking permits will also standardised across the three areas for the first time, with the cost to be tied to the vehicle’s CO2 emissions.

Businesses in the Old Town have voiced their opposition to the county council’s decision.

Harris Woodcock, of the Courthouse Cooperative curiosity shop, said: “It’s a really unhelpful increase at this particular time. Just as businesses are starting to open up after the Covid-19 lockdown trippers and visitors are being hit with a 100 per cent price hike. This needs to be cancelled.”

A four-hour parking session in the Old Town is set to rise from £6 to nearly £12.

Bob Tipler, of the Albion Pub, said: “This will certainly deter some customers who might have wanted to spend a few hours wandering around the Old Town and maybe taking lunch. It will also impact badly on some staff, who currently drive to work for shifts.

“ESCC says this will turn parking spaces over quicker and thus bring more people in, yet parking is free in St Leonards so this is contradictory.”

Cllr James Bacon, ward councillor for Old Hastings, said: “I believe these increases, especially in an unprecedented time, would be hugely detrimental to the local economy and the independent businesses which rely on visitors and residents to shop in their establishments.

“The county council must reconsider and reverse these proposals and I urge people to visit and sign the petition online, as well as direct their emails to their county councillor and Keith Glazier, leader of ESCC.”

A county council spokesman said: “From July 1 we will be introducing the first increase in on-street parking charges for a decade, agreed in January but delayed in light of the Covid-19 crisis.

“NHS workers and volunteers and social workers will continue to be able to park for free.

“The charges, which do not affect district and borough-run car parks, are expected to lead to an increased turnover of spaces in town centres and footfall, which can benefit the economy as businesses recover from the lockdown period.

“We appreciate that, in the short term, public transport remains limited, but we hope the changes will encourage people to consider walking and cycling as an alternative to car use, where possible.

“Changes to residential permits, which include reduced charges for low emission vehicles, will also come into effect but will not apply until permits are renewed.”