Conservatives blasted for parking hypocrisy

12.37.42pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 6th May 2009

Moves to halve parking charges in Hastings, but retain them in other East Sussex towns, have been blasted by local campaigners.

In a politically motivated move, the Conservative administration decided last week to cut parking charges in Hastings by 50%, but has made no moves to do the same in Eastbourne or Lewes despite massive local campaigns against the charges. The Conservatives are hoping to win county council seats in Hastings at the election, and the move to scrap the charges four weeks out has been branded as a 'cynical election bribe' by opponents.

Stephen Lloyd, Lib Dem Parliamentary Campaigner for Eastbourne, says:

"The Conservatives on the county council must answer a simple question: If cutting parking charges in Hastings will help relieve the recession there, why would it not have the same effect in Eastbourne? People in Eastbourne are having to pay £5,000 a day to park in their own town. Local shops are suffering, and the Conservatives are doing nothing to stop this. They must scrap the parking charges now."

Lewes Lib Dem campaigner, Rosalyn St Pierre says:

"The parking scheme in Lewes has caused problems for local shop owners for years. On the May bank holiday, there were five parking wardens patrolling just one estate. The parking scheme is unfair and over the top. We have been calling for it to be changed to a fairer and less draconian system but the Conservatives have ignored local people. The timing of this, and the fact it is in Hastings where the Tories are hoping to pick up seats suggests it is little more than a cynical election bribe."