New parking zone edges closer in Hove

A new parking zone is edging closer for the Aldrington, Nevill and Goldstone Valley area of Hove.

Brighton and Hove City Council posted about the proposal on Facebook, along with the time, date and venue for a drop-in information session.

The council said: “Local residents and businesses in the Aldrington and Nevill area of the city are being invited to a public drop-in and information session to learn more about proposals for a new controlled parking scheme and to help shape its development.

“The session will provide an opportunity for people living and working within the proposed scheme area, which includes the Aldrington, Orchards, Nevill and Goldstone Valley communities, to speak directly with council officers about the proposals, local parking issues and challenges and ask questions.”

The information session is due to take place at the Bishop Hannington Church lounge, in Nevill Avenue, by the corner of Holmes Avenue, Hove, on Tuesday 29 September.

The council said: “The event will operate as a drop-in session rather than a formal public meeting. Drop in at any time between 4pm and 8pm.

“Residents will be able to attend at any point during the session, view street maps, discuss issues affecting their area and provide feedback directly to officers ahead of a formal consultation.

“To help manage the event and ensure attendees have the opportunity to speak with officers, a sign-in process will be in place on arrival to take names and addresses.

“This will help us to better understand which roads and areas are being represented. Depending on attendance levels, access may need to be managed to ensure the venue remains safe and comfortable for visitors.

“Feedback gathered during the session will help inform the development of proposals.

“Any future controlled parking scheme would be subject to a separate formal consultation process, providing further opportunities for residents and businesses to have their say.”

Labour councillor Trevor Muten, the council’s cabinet member for transport and city infrastructure, said: “This session is an opportunity for local residents and businesses to engage with us at an early stage and help shape the development of proposals for the area.

“We want to hear directly from people who experience parking challenges in their community and understand what is working well and what could be improved.

“The drop-in format will allow people to have constructive conversations with officers, look at detailed information about their streets and share their views in a way that helps shape future proposals.”

Earlier this year, Councillor Muten said: “The timescale for introducing controlled parking to an area is approximately 18 months.”

He said that any scheme for the area would be likely to be implemented during the summer or autumn of next year.

If the scheme is approved, it is likely to cover the roads near Aldrington railway station, north of the railway line, such as Aldrington Avenue, Amherst Crescent, Lullington Avenue and Milcote Avenue.

Other roads that could become part of a controlled parking zone include Nevill Avenue, Nevill Road, Holmes Avenue, Orchard Road, Orchard Gardens, Orchard Close and Goldstone Crescent.

Gripes have included the long-term parking of campervans and large vehicles as well as commuter parking from office workers at Legal and General to passengers using Hove and Aldrington railway stations.

Some fed up residents asked if they could join the zone P light-touch scheme which covers the streets from Hove Park to Withdean.

Currently, the price of a 12-month resident permit in Brighton and Hove ranges from £127.75 to £456.25 depending on the area and vehicle emissions.

The council said that the proposed controlled parking scheme would