EASTBOURNE Motorists have been granted a reprieve from parking fines in
Eastbourne because of a dispute between the town’s county and borough
councils.
Traffic wardens can issue warning notices but fines, clamps and tow trucks
have been out of action since October, when Eastbourne Council, run by the
Liberal Democrats, undermined a scheme by East Sussex County Council, which
is run by the Conservatives, to put new parking meters on the seafront.
County councillors spent £200,000 installing machines and employing wardens
but the town council discovered a legal loophole that meant the scheme had
to be suspended.
Camilla Francombe, 56, who runs a second-hand bookshop in the town, said:
“It’s wonderful. Bookshops are notorious for getting people tickets. They
come in here for two minutes and end up here for an hour. Now they can park
here with impunity.”
The impasse is expected to last until October and taxpayers will have to foot
a bill of £500,000 for the powerless wardens.
