Parking fees plan delayed for further consultation

Plans to extend fees charged at some Sussex car parks are to be delayed.

Following a public consultation, Mid Sussex District Council has decided to gather more information about a possible resident permit scheme for the Queensway car park, East Grinstead. It will also review the approach to Sunday and Bank Holiday charges at other sites.

A report to the meeting said a delay of two to three months would cost the council £70,000 in potential income.

Chris Hobbs, cabinet member for leisure and customer services, said: “We’ve listened to the feedback and read the feedback and we’re now proposing to consult on amendments based entirely on that feedback."

The matter was discussed during a meeting of the cabinet on Monday.

A total of 672 people took part in the consultation, with more than half coming from East Grinstead, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Concerns ranged from the impact charges would have on residents coming into town for the evening, to the impact on volunteers at places such as the Chequer Mead theatre.

Cllr Hobbs said: “This delay will cost the council vital funds but we’ve listened specifically to the residents of East Grinstead.

"(They've told us) that parking is difficult in the town centre out of hours for residents, and how much they rely on our car parks out of hours.”

The council's parking strategy, adopted in December 2020, aims to provide direction for the management of and investment in car parking provision.

A feasibility study on providing additional capacity at the Queensway Car Park is being carried out and is due to report in early 2025.

A report on the latest public consultation is expected to be presented to the council in November.

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