Council considering return of parking machines

Christina and Gordon Westwell are hoping the machines return to the city

Parking machines with contactless payment could return to Brighton and Hove after a trial.

Brighton & Hove City Council put 12 machines in the city’s busiest areas for a three-month trial from August.

It came after feedback from residents and visitors when the council decommissioned machines in May last year – meaning people could only use the PayByPhone app for parking.

The trial ends on Saturday and the city council will then decide whether to keep the machines permanently.

'You don’t want to be hassled with apps'

Speaking to BBC Radio Sussex, residents were in favour of parking machines staying for good.

“Nowadays there is a rapid change of system all the time and it’s very difficult for old people who are not working to know what is going on,” said Joyce Collins, who was walking into the city centre from Kemptown.

The 90-year-old added: “I don’t know anything about apps. I don’t take my car into the city especially because I don’t know about the parking.”

Christina Westwell, another resident, said: “I think they should keep it, you don’t want to be hassled with apps. Whether it’s cash or card, I think that’s better.

One of the new touch screen parking machines in Marine Parade, Brighton

“If we have to use an app, we just drive off. I just want to get on with my life, I don’t want to have to go online.”

Gordon Westwell, her husband, said: “It’s a really good idea, they should bring back cash as well so you can use card, cash or the app if you want to use it.”

Councillor Trevor Muten, cabinet member for transport, parking and public realm, said: “We’re looking at how they’re being used and collecting as much information as possible before we decide on our next move.

One of the old parking machines which is no longer in use

“But we know that some people don’t like using apps, or would prefer to pay by card.”

Mr Muten said it was “important” for the council to make paying for on-street parking as “easy as possible”.

The areas being trialled are Grand Avenue, King Alfred car park, two machines in Kingsway, two in Marine Parade, two in Madeira Drive, Norton Road car park, Rottingdean Marine Cliffs car park, Rottingdean West Street car park and Spring Gardens near the North Laine.