"PERVERSE" and "bizarre" – this is how one Worthing county councillor has described the price-hike proposed for on-street parking in the town centre.
Steven Waight said the town was getting a raw deal when it comes to the new parking charges, while other areas such as Horsham will receive a watered down increase.
The recommendation is to increase charges in the central area (zone A) by 50 per cent from 80 pence to £1.20 an hour, and the outer area (zones B and C) by two thirds from 60 pence to £1 an hour.
Mr Waight said he blamed the county council cabinet for the move, arguing it was because Worthing and Adur were under-represented in the main decision-making team.
No representatives"Part of the problem is that the decision is made by the cabinet in the county council and there are no Worthing and Adur members on the cabinet, whereas Crawley and Horsham have four members." he said.
Worthing Borough Council has already expressed dismay at the news – stating it goes against everything the council is working towards to try to encourage more shoppers to the town centre.
The council is already working with NCP to reduce off-street parking charges – with NCP's Union Place the first car park to see a reduction in prices.
Sharon Clarke, Worthing town centre manager, was pleased with the reduction: "People of Worthing should support that car park and show if prices come down they will come back."
Have your sayNow Mr Waight is urging Herald readers to make their voices heard.
"The more people who raise the issue, the more likely it is that the county council will do something to change that," he said.
To have your say cut out the form calling for West Sussex County Council to reconsider plans to increase parking charges in Worthing, in the Thursday, November 19 edition of the Worthing Herald.
Forms should be sent to Alex Jenkins, Worthing Herald, Cannon House, Chatsworth Road, Worthing, West Sussex, BN11 1NA by Monday, December 7.
Add a Twibbon to your Twitter account to support the campaign to stop on-street parking price increases in Worthing, by clicking here.Or add a fairer parking prices campaign Twibbon to your Facebook profile by clicking here.-------------------------------------
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