Street consultations on the way over parking

In January, East Sussex County Council sent out consultation packs to people living in the town suggesting controlled parking zones and residents' permits.

While a large number objected, the county council said some residents in the more central roads would welcome restrictions.

The original consultation prompted uproar at a public meeting and resulted in 1,600 people sending letters of objection to the county council.

The original scheme would have seen a controlled parking zone from Belgrave Road in the west, Sutton Drove in the north and Southdown Road in the east.

At a Seaford Town Council meeting on Thursday last week, Cllr Rosemary Collict said representatives from the council, the Seaford Residents' Association and chamber of commerce had met the county's transport strategy manager, John Robbins.

Cllr Collict said: 'We met with him to listen to what he had to say but still without commitment as to our agreement to his final proposals.

'Mr Robbins did say the surveys they have done have thrown up a significant amount of streets who were in favour of some sort of parking proposal.

'He was proposing to undertake a street by street consultation in early evenings when members of the public will be at home and will be able to take part in any debate.

'What I would ask members to approve today is a joint consultation process with the county council.'

Cllr Julian Peterson said no parking scheme was going to be perfect and someone was always going to be upset but added: 'I feel passionately about this. Parking in Seaford at the moment is more or less OK and I think, personally, we should oppose any additional parking scheme.'

Cllr Jon Freeman said this next stage of consultation probably concerned only six or seven streets where the county council said there was support for parking permits.

He added: 'We make no comment beyond the fact we feel it would be appropriate to take part in this process. I think it would be helpful.'

Cllr Ian White said: 'There has been a great deal of opposition to parking restrictions in the town.

'I would like to see that this next consultation includes all the residents of Seaford and not just those who live in the centre of the town.'

A county council spokesman said: 'Street by street consultation is due to start in Seaford town centre on September 17 and will last for one week.

'The final list of streets to be involved is still under discussion with Seaford Town Council but will include those where residents have previously expressed an interest in seeing parking controls introduced.'