The town’s business leaders penned a letter to the county council’s transport decision maker Claire Dowling asking her to reverse plans to increase the cost of parking in the town on July 1. But they say she declined to meet with them to hear their concerns and now they fear the harm the increases will have on footfall – already down due to the Covid-19 lockdown. Ashley Pugh at W Bruford Jeweller said, “I am disgusted at the recent parking charge increase; it is harming the trade across town for a whole range of businesses. A halt to this charge increase will allow Eastbourne businesses to gather themselves up following what has been a horrendously difficult time and give everyone a chance to begin recovery. Without appropriate cycle routes or other alternatives to travel, there is no sense in increasing this charge.” Leanna Forse at the Eastbourne BID group, representing hundreds of town centre traders, said, “We have been discussing these changes with members and have the support of retailers and restaurateurs across the town centre. We will continue to lobby to reverse the increase in parking charges.” The increase in charges were due to come into force in April but were delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic and subsequent lockdown. Miss Forse said, “Footfall is down due to the pandemic. To hike up parking charges now could be massively detrimental to businesses and to Eastbourne as a whole. Visitors and town centre staff are driving into work as carsharing and public transport are not recommended. “During a time when we are being discouraged from using public transport, following a long period when very few businesses were able to continue trading, we believe it is paramount to create an inviting environment, encouraging people to visit the town centre in order to shop locally and have some kind of normality.” East Sussex County Council says it appreciates businesses face significant challenges as a result of Covid-19. A spokesperson said, “Rather than hinder that recovery, an increase in charges is expected to lead to an increased turnover of on-street spaces in the town centre and footfall which will benefit the local economy. “The increase to on-street parking charges, agreed in January but delayed due to the pandemic, is the first in Eastbourne since 2008 and does not affect the 1,718 off-street parking places in town centre car parks that offer cheaper and longer-stay parking. “In the short-term, public transport does remain limited, but we have seen a substantial increase in the number of people walking and cycling as an alternative to public transport and car use, something that we are supporting with measures as part of the government’s Emergency Active Travel Fund. “The decision to increase parking charges was made in January following extensive consultation, and discussed again in March when implementation was deferred due to the Covid-19 crisis. “Councillor Claire Dowling was invited by BID to discuss the reasons for the increase a week before the charges came into effect. “The reasons for the increase have been well publicised and discussed at length, and Cllr Dowling shared the report presented at January’s lead member meeting and the findings of the consultation with BID.” A message from the Editor, Gary Shipton: In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news, I am asking you to please purchase a copy of our newspapers. With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspapers. Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis. Stay safe, and best wishes.