Controversial parking charges to start in April

The rural parking scheme, to be implemented by Horsham District Council, received 123 formal responses during the consultation period.

The proposal will now move ahead with a few amendments.

Users of the car parks will be able to combine the use of a disc and pay and display for irregular long term parking periods.

A spokesman for Horsham District Council said: “The council’s cabinet agreed last November to move forward with the Rural Car Parking proposal, once the consultation process had concluded.

“It was agreed that the Director of Community Services, in consultation with the cabinet member for the local economy would review comments and responses to the consultation and decide on any changes to the original proposal if necessary.

“We are very grateful to all those who took part in the consultation process and helped us to revise the scheme.

“A number of amendments were made and these include: adjusting the maximum parking times for some car parks, offering an option to allow users to park for irregular long term periods combining the use of a disc and pay and display, and piloting a cash option in two of the busiest car parks.”

Horsham District Council has decided to move ahead with the proposal despite strong opposition from large numbers of residents in the district.

Steyning Parish Council has sent a formal objection letter to the district council.

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