Council review of off-street parking

Among it suggestions and proposals are:

p The abolition of the free three-hour concession to disabled badge holders

p The phasing-out of the discounts offered with season tickets

p The end of refundable parking charges at the Summerfields Sports centre.

The newly-published review was presented to members of the council's regeneration and environment scrutiny committee on Tuesday evening as a first step on its journey to the Cabinet where it is likely to be adopted at the next meeting on Monday, November 29.

The most controversial element in the report is likely to be the suggestion that the three-hour free off-street parking concession made to disabled-badge holders is junked in preference to an increased number of dedicated disabled-badge bays within the council's car parks.

The report points out neither Rother nor Eastbourne councils provide the three-hour concession, that possession of a disabled-badge is not indicative of specific financial hardship and that the majority of local authorities now charge disabled-badge holders.

It goes on to recommend a review of the number of dedicated disabled-badge bays and an increase in them if necessary. After that, the three-hour concession would apply only in those bays.

If no bays were available, disabled-badge holders would have to pay the same charges as anyone else.

Season tickets are recommended for a 'moderate increase'.

The standard annual would rise from 520 to 580 while a weekly season ticket would go from 15 to 20.