PLANS to increase on-street pay and display parking tariffs and permit charges throughout the town have been approved by East Sussex County Council.
In a recent meeting at East Sussex County Council, Councillor Claire Dowling, lead member of transport and environment, gave the proposals the green light and prices will increase throughout Rother from 2nd April.
Charges for on-street parking in Rother District have not been significantly changed since the start of the scheme in 2020. Charges were increased by a 5% inflation increase in 2024, according to the authority.
Resident, business and day permit charges will now be based on the emissions the car produces, therefore motorists with vehicles with larger engines will pay more to park them. A similar scheme already operates in Hastings, Eastbourne and Lewes. Disabled permits will be exempt from the emission-based charges.
Town centre charges will increase from 45p for one hour to 70p, and from 90p for two hours to £1.35. Whilst at the Marina area, the cost will go from £1.85 to £2.70 for an hour, and from £2.95 to £4.30 for two hours.
All-day parking (6 hours or more) on Seafront and Bexhill North area will increase from £2.20 to £3.20. Parking for one hour at Bexhill station will go up from 45p to 70p.
Howard Martin, President of Bexhill Chamber of Commerce said: “We are very disappointed by these unnecessary parking charge increases. Not only do they deter town centre visitors and business investment, but they are also being implemented without a supporting long-term strategy for Bexhill regeneration.
“Parking is a key driver of business growth in other towns like Lewes and Uckfield, where periods of free parking are used to target visitor footfall increases at weekends, for example.
“Once again, it seems that Councils just see Bexhill as a cash cow rather than as a valuable asset to be supported and invested in.”
The council insists any profit made from parking charges is reinvested in supporting the bus network and any other public transport costs.
Ian Hollidge, East Sussex County Council member for Bexhill South said: “Bexhill will be affected more than any other Town or Village in Rother by these parking increases. Although compared to Rother’s excessive off-street charges, they are modest. I’m still not in favour of using vehicle emissions as a measure of how much you pay.
“I’ve read nearly all the 900 responses where only 10% agreed with the permit charge increases being based on emissions. It was confirmed Bexhill does not have an Air Quality problem, hence, in my opinion, there is no need to have such a graduated method.
“For simplicity, fairness and efficient use of space, it would be better to have just one figure for permits as well as a more reasonable increase. Rother currently charges £600 pa for De La Warr car park and ESCC only £27 per year on-street.
“Parking management should be about ensuring there is on-street churn by making long-term off-street parking cheaper, in Bexhill, this is not the case and needs changing.
“I also suggested a non-resident permit to allow shop workers to park on nominated roads at a reduced cost where currently they are underused. Separate from this but related, if anyone wants to have a new restriction considered in the next review, it needs to be in by the end of February for consideration in March.”
Councillors argued that Bexhill could not warrant the increased charges because it is not as busy as Eastbourne and Hastings and it already faces ‘economic challenges’.
Councillor Abul Azad (Independent) said: “Many of our High Street shops are already empty, and the town has seen all its banks close, leaving a noticeable gap in essential services and reducing footfall.
“Increasing parking charges would only worsen the situation, as it would deter visitors and shoppers from coming to the town centre.
“Local businesses are already struggling to survive, and higher parking fees could force more shops to close their doors, further damaging the town’s economy and vibrancy.”
An East Sussex County Council spokesperson said: “When the county council took over responsibility for on-street parking in Rother in 2020, charges were set at a lower level and have not changed significantly since. This reduces the influence the charges have on travel choices.
“The increase in charges will help us better manage the demand and reduce congestion, which will have a positive impact on the local economy as well as air quality.”
What do you think? Email your comments to: letters@bexhill.news
