Hanover parking scheme a step closer

Residents are set to be consulted about introducing controlled parking in the Hanover and Elm Grove area of Brighton.

The neighbourhood is now the only part of central Brighton with free parking.  Locals complain the streets are consequently clogged with vehicles driven by commuters, tourists, shoppers and people from adjacent parking zones who do not wish to pay.

The Hanover proposal follows extensive research by the Hanover Local Action Team (LAT) which found most residents who responded to an LAT survey were in favour. 

Meanwhile a new scheme for Fiveways is set to proceed after the council considered residents’ views on the fine details and amended the plan where practical.

A new parking area would be created for Ditchling Gardens and Hollingbury Road to help residents park nearer their homes.  A recent consultation showed most households in support.

In Hanover residents will be asked if they would like parking restrictions to operate all day, or for limited periods – or whether they wanted to continue with no controls at all.  They will also be asked if they want any scheme to operate all week or Monday to Friday.

If the consultation is approved at environment committee on January 19, a leaflet would be sent to every household in the area.  A detailed design consultation would then take place for areas requesting controls.  Any scheme, if approved, would be introduced in early 2017.

Committee chair Cllr Gill Mitchell said:  “There’s an unusual situation in Hanover where almost half the households have no car yet the roads and many pavements are bumper to bumper with vehicles.    Parking controls can make streets and neighbourhoods much more pleasant.  But ultimately the choice will be up to local people who express a view. “

LAT chair Chris Taylor said:  “This consultation is based on a partnership between the LAT and the council.  Surveys of 36 streets have shown a majority of respondents now in favour of some form of controlled parking.  The council and LAT are working together to build a flexible scheme which will suit as many residents as possible.  This consultation is about the basics and fine detail will be worked up later.  Nothing is set in stone and it’s for residents to make the final decision.”

The committee report is among its agenda papers on the council’s website