Hanover and Elm Grove set for parking restrictions

The new parking zone could be rolled out as early as this autumn, and it will see the end of free on street parking in the city centre.

This comes after a consultation with residents saw 60 per cent back the scheme (37 per cent of residents took part in the consultation).

The report going before the environment, transport and sustainability committee next Tuesday (March 14) recommends the area should be divided into two large zones with different operating hours, broadly reflecting survey responses.

The core area of Hanover, the bottom of Elm Grove and streets from William Clark Park west to Lewes Road and up to Bear Road would get a full scheme – seven days a week from 9am to 8pm.

The top of Elm Grove, streets to the north and the rest of the ward is recommended for a ‘light touch scheme’ operating all week from 11am to midday and 6pm to 7pm. This area includes the Pankhurst Estate and a small clutch of roads linking the top of Elm Grove and Queen’s Park Road, known as the ‘top triangle’.

Craven Vale, a group of streets south of Brighton Racecourse, voted two-to-one for a scheme. Turnout was 28 per cent. A majority of those favouring restrictions wanted them operating 9am to 8pm, all week.

Committee chair Cllr Gill Mitchell said: “Hanover and Elm Grove is suffering artificially high demand for parking because it is surrounded by other residents’ parking zones. A parking scheme would give these streets back to the residents and make the area much more pleasant.”

Meanwhile an initial consultation in the West Hove Area has shown 67 per cent of residents in favour of a parking scheme. Of those, over three quarters wanted a light touch scheme – restricting non-residents’ parking for two short periods a day. A second report to the committee recommends pressing ahead with a detailed consultation on how the scheme would be laid out, street-by-street. This is expected to take place from April 28 for five weeks.

Although just over half of residents favoured a Monday to Friday scheme for West Hove, council officers are recommending all-week restrictions. This would avoid displacement at weekends from seven-day schemes surrounding the area. Residents can express a view on this during the next consultation.

The report, including consultation results, can be found among the committee’s agenda papers here.