Eastbourne Borough Council's Liberal Democrats had called on East Sussex County Council member Matthew Lock to hold a referendum over whether on-street parking charges should be introduced.

But the Conservative councillor refused this week saying it would cost council tax payers between £40,000 and £60,000 and extensive consultation had already taken place.

At Monday's meeting Eastbourne Borough Council leader David Tutt said, "The county council has held many limited consultation exercises on this issue over a period of years.

"Unfortunately, it has failed repeatedly to listen to the majority of residents and local businesses who believe that pay-to-park will have a devastating impact on Eastbourne.

"Eastbourne residents and the business community wish to see enforcement of existing traffic regulations without the introduction of the new stealth tax in the form of pay-to-park.

"The town already faces a challenging economic climate which will not be helped by forcing through such an unpopular and expensive scheme."

Anti-parking scheme campaigner and Upperton councillor Rebecca Madell was also at the meeting and said, "I was democratically elected and so, Councillor Lock, were you.

"It is your democratic and moral duty to listen to the people of Eastbourne."

Councillor Matthew Lock said, "The introduction of the parking schemes in both Lewes and Hastings have been successful in reducing traffic levels.

"In addition bus use in Hastings has grown by 18 per cent and there has been a significant increase in the revenue received by Lewes District Council from its off-street car parks in the town.

"This has been put to good use for the benefit of people living in the town. However, traffic levels and congestion in Eastbourne are increasing due to the lack of effective on-street controls or enforcement on the streets."