Parking row threatens party

PENSIONERS' Jubilee party plans could be scuppered because of a row over parking spaces.

Newhaven Age Concern Day Club members are furious at parking restrictions in the new West Quay car park.

They have been allocated only five spaces and cars paying to park can only stay up to three hours or face a fine. Before the development of the area, parking was free.

Club secretary Mary Colewell said the new rules would limit the time members could spend at the club for events, like its Jubilee party on June 12. It could also deter people from renting the building for clubs and private functions.

She said: 'Lewes District Council just will not give us any help. When we have our Jubilee party we do not know what is to happen for people that can't park in the five spaces.'

Their concerns had fallen on deaf ears. She added: 'The council has completely ignored us and we are fed up with it. It is sickening. We have all these elderly people. Some do not see a soul during the day and the club is a lifeline to them.'

Sixty people, some aged in their 90's, are due to attend the party. Many are unable to walk the distance from nearby Fort Road and Chapel Street.

Mrs Colewell said the council had contributed considerably to the Age Concern building, only for it be threatened with failure because of too few parking spaces.

'The council gave us 20,000 for the club and that will be money wasted if nobody can use it,' she added.

A district council spokeswoman said five parking spaces had been agreed with the group and parking rules would not be changed.

She added: 'We cannot change the restrictions of the car park for one organisation.'