Parking charge drop 'would make such a difference'

A plan to drop evening parking charges at a number of council-owned sites has been welcomed by a business association.

Grahame Russell, chairperson of the East Grinstead Business Association, told BBC Radio Sussex he was "absolutely delighted" with the proposal made at a Mid Sussex District Council meeting last week, when the 2026/27 budget was being discussed.

Councillors proposed an amendment to cancel the 18:00 to 20:00 tariffs for council-owned car parks in East Grinstead, Burgess Hill and Haywards Heath.

Russell said: "The reversal would make such a difference to the night time economy."

The charges "had been a bad idea for the last 18 months", he added.

"People are happy to pay during the day because that's quite normal. However, residents feel it should at least be free in the evening."

The amendment was tabled by Conservative councillor Gary Marsh of Ardingly, Balcombe & Turners Hill.

Marsh said the estimated £62,000 of lost income could be made up by reducing the amount set to be deposited in the general reserve.

Seconding the amendment, Conservative councillor Jacquie Russell, representing East Grinstead Town, said it would be "a minimal loss of income to the authority in return for a very positive outcome for East Grinstead residents and businesses".

Council leader Robert Eggleston supported the amendment, with the proviso it included Burgess Hill and Haywards Heath.

"By doing this, we treat all three towns equally and fairly," he said.

The change would mean a total loss of income of £97,500, taking the general reserve deposit from £234,000 to £136,500, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The amendment will not come into effect immediately as it needs to be scrutinised and discussed further.

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