Eastbourne parking charges and permit prices to rise

From July 1, East Sussex County Council is to increase both its permit and on-street pay and display parking charges throughout Eastbourne, Hastings and the Lewes district.

The increases had originally been set to come into force on April 27, but were delayed the same month in the early days of the coronavirus lockdown.

The increase will see pay and display parking charges rise by between 20p and £1.90 for county council parking spaces in Eastbourne, Hastings and Lewes.

The cost of most parking permits will also standardised across the three areas for the first time, with the cost to be tied to the vehicle’s CO2 emissions.

This will see the cost increase for many residents, but will have a particular impact on permit holders living in Eastbourne.

Currently an Eastbourne resident would only pay £25 for an annual permit (providing it is the first for that address), while a Hastings resident would pay £75. Both are charged at a flat rate no matter the vehicle.

But under the new system, the cost of a first permit would be between £15 and £95 per year in all three areas, with lower emission vehicles to be charged less. This scheme is already in place in Lewes.

Some minor variations in the scheme will remain between the towns, with disabled permit holders in Eastbourne retaining a discounted rate, while some permit zones in  Hastings will pay a lower rate.

An East Sussex County Council spokesman said: “From July 1 we will be introducing the first increase in on-street parking charges for a decade, agreed in January but delayed in light of the Covid-19 crisis.  NHS workers and volunteers and social workers will continue to be able to park for free,

“The charges, which do not affect district and borough-run car parks, are expected to lead to a to an increased turnover of spaces in town centres and footfall, which can benefit the economy as businesses recover from the lockdown period.

“We appreciate that, in the short term, public transport remains limited, but we hope the changes will encourage people to consider walking and cycling as an alternative to car use, where possible.

“Changes to residential permits, which include reduced charges for low emission vehicles, will also come into effect but will not apply until permits are renewed.”

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