Lib Dems slam poor choices over parking

9.51.39am GMT Thu 2nd Nov 2006

Liberal Democrats say that the Council is pitching one community against another following a row over the Central Brighton Parking Review.

Options being given to the Environment Committee on 9th November suggest that any major change to the Central Brighton parking scheme will result in a two year delay in other parking reviews, and will cost revenue of £750,000. This will delay action to tackle the West Hove parking issues currently being raised by residents.

Lib Dems argue that the Council needs to meet both the needs of the residents of West Hove and Central Brighton. The Lib Dems believe that a short delay to the Central Brighton review will give time and resources to the West Hove issues. This can be done because significant numbers of residents objected to the Central Brighton scheme.

Councillor Paul Elgood said: 'The Council is failing to sort this matter out. Whatever option is taken one community wins whilst another loses. That's simply not on. To get any meaningful changes to the Central Brighton parking scheme then it means a delay on other parking issues, such as those in West Hove. Well that's not true and misleading.

'We say that the West Hove issues must be tackled as the top priority for the committee, as a short delay in the Central Brighton scheme will not result in the scare mongering the Council is now suggesting.

'If Labour are unwilling or unable to sort out two different sets of priorities, then they should move aside so that progress in the interest of both communities can be made.

'They are not serving the best choices city.'