Dear Resident

On 21 February, I attended the public meeting at Calvery Church Hall to hear the local views and, hopefully, to make it clear that there is a political party that cares about the motorists plight – a party that wants an integrated approach rather than one that just is anti car. Unfortunately, I was not allowed to speak which is a shame for democracy. But what I do take heart from is the sheer number of people who turned out on a cold winter’s night. There is a strong sense of a community coming together. But it was very disappointing to hear what the Greens are suggesting as solutions. The local residents deserve better than that. At the forthcoming General Election, you will have the chance to make a real difference to parking problems.  Not just in St Peter’s and North Laines ward, but the whole of Brighton Pavilion.

Whether the Greens like it or not, the car is here to stay.  It is many people’s preferred choice from getting from A to B.  Why are the Green party so afraid of individual choice?  We have to deal with the reality of the situation as it is today, and not simply daydream of how we would like it.  Of course in a perfect world we would all prefer to take buses or use bicycles - an integrated transport system that connects rail, road and independent travel is the ideal scenario. I am a regular bus user and enjoy riding my bike. But I also need a car. No one can wave a magic wand and simply make cars unnecessary. And all cars need to park somewhere.  So it is common sense to come up with parking solutions – more spaces combined with alternative choices.

 Typical street shots where all available parking is taken and overflowing – and this was on a Sunday so did not have the added complication of rail commuters parking

Your local Green Councillors are not doing their best for the local residents – all their solutions revolve around BANNING cars – a war on the motorist. They want cars out of Brighton and won't actually do anything to help the residents other than to make more restrictions to move you on elsewhere and make life more difficult for all. Keith Taylor at the meeting said publicly that he doesn't drive a car and supported all policies that were ‘anti car’ – including the policy of not requiring any new parking spaces in house conversions since ‘everyone should go by bus’. He is placing more penalties on cars rather than finding ways to accommodate them. Of course double parking should be avoided - but to just fine and tow cars away is not solving the problem. Having more spaces is!                

I am totally against any increase in parking charges or any form of congestion charges. Both of these are just taxation by the back door. Three cheers for the people of Edinburgh for having the courage to reject congestion charging.  What is needed is a comprehensive review of parking in the city – both on and off road.  With cycle lanes in better planned locations - just what is that little track that goes round the Duke of York cinema all about?  Is this going to persuade people to sell their cars and travel by bike? I don’t think so. Also, pavements are for pedestrians. It is simply shear bad planning by the city council, and your local Green councillors must accept some responsibility for this gross incompetence and bad judgement.

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