Parking charges are being cut along a stretch of the seafront after “feedback” from businesses, councillors and residents, Brighton and Hove City Council said today (Tuesday 23 June).
The changes affect about 50 parking places towards the eastern end of Madeira Drive where the cost went up almost 250 per cent earlier this year.
The aim was to bring the charges into line with the parking spaces further west in Madeira Drive as well as with another seafront road, King’s Road.
The reductions should be in place by the time the school holidays start next month and bring the cost of the bays into line with the tariff further east at Black Rock.
Labour Councillor Gary Wilkinson, who represents Kemptown ward, said: “We have some amazing businesses on the eastern stretch of Madeira Drive – Sea Lanes, Beach Box Sauna, Yellowave – and we’ve been working with them to try to get this fixed.
“I’m glad we’ve been able to secure a significant reduction to support this vital part of the Kemp Town seafront.”
His fellow Labour councillor Theresa Mackey, who also represents Kemptown ward, said: “This is also about keeping this stretch accessible for residents.
“It’s not as easy to get to as some parts of the seafront – and we want parking to be reasonable to ensure people can use these wonderful businesses and the beach more generally.”
Labour councillor Trevor Muten, the council’s cabinet member for transport and city infrastructure, said: “One of our central aims has been to simplify parking tariffs in the city and make them fairer.
“Madeira Drive previously had sharp differences in the rates charged along different sections.
“However, we also have to balance this with the needs to ensure accessibility and support for local businesses. We appreciate the feedback from residents and businesses. We have listened.”
The council said that it would work to update the charges as quickly as possible, probably in the next three weeks.
The council also said that it would keep parking tariffs under review and would continue to work with businesses on the seafront to ensure the area remains accessible and thriving.
The new charges are
- 1 hour – down from £5.40 to £2.90
- 2 hours – down from £9.30 to £5.50
- 4 hours – down from £15.70 to £10.70
- 6 hours – down from £20.70 to £14.00
- 11 hours – down from £23.70 to £17.20
A petition was started earlier this month urging the council to keep east Brighton seafront accessible for all and had 660 signatures at the time of writing.
It called on the council to “reinstate the lower parking tariff at the east end of Madeira Drive – 30 spaces from the east of the Concorde to the base of Duke’s Mound and 20 spaces immediately west of Concorde”.
The petition said: “This area is not in the city centre and has limited accessibility. There is no public transport directly serving the site, no lift access from Marine Parade and access is only via a steep slope, a long walk from the pier or more than 100 steps.
“This section of Madeira Drive has historically been treated as a lower-tariff zone due to its location and accessibility challenges.
“We understand previous assurances were given that affordable parking would be maintained for those accessing the area. There has been no consultation.
“The increase is already affecting local residents, families, older people, people with mobility challenges and those attending community activities.
“Several organisations report that participants are reducing or cancelling attendance because parking costs have become unaffordable.
“These facilities provide year-round access to sports, swimming, wellbeing programmes, children’s activities, cancer support groups, toddler classes and other community services.
“These facilities and organisations based on the east seafront are a vital part of the local community, generating substantial social value and helping to prevent health inequalities through accessible sport, exercise, wellbeing activities and social interaction.
“We call on Brighton and Hove City Council to urgently review parking charges on this section of Madeira Drive and reinstate an affordable tariff that allows residents and visitors to continue accessing these important community, health and wellbeing facilities.”
