PARKING charges across the county are set to rise from April 2, for only the second time in 14 years.

On street parking charges are set to increase by between five and 95 pence, while permits will rise by up to £10 a year for residents.

Income from parking schemes pay for the management, enforcement, and maintenance of those schemes, with surplus reinvested in local transport improvements.

Cllr Claire Dowling, East Sussex County Council’s lead member for transport and environment said: “These increases, only the second in 14 years, are necessary to cover increased costs to the council of running parking schemes.

“As well as covering rising costs, the increases help to influence driver behaviour and encourage people to consider alternative forms of transport.

“Slightly higher on street parking charges can also help encourage motorists to use town centre car parks, leaving on street spaces for shorter stays and increasing turnover of spaces, leading to greater footfall and benefiting the local economy.”

In Lewes, Eastbourne and Hastings, permits continue to be based on CO2 emissions with owners of less environmentally friendly vehicles paying slightly more.

The increased charges were approved by full council last month as part of the 2024/25 budget setting process.

Full details of how the parking surplus is spent can be found in the annual parking reports at www.eastsussex.gov.uk/parking/guides-and-reports/annual-reports

Ends.