Pay to park for Bexhill?

The revelation came from Rother leader Cllr Carl Maynard speaking to the Observer this week.

But he stressed there are currently NO plans for 'decriminalised' parking in the town centre.

Cllr Maynard also said neither Rother, nor East Sussex County Council, would be looking to impose a pay to park scheme without the support of Bexhill residents.

However he did say a situation could exist where a regenerated town centre would require paid parking spaces.

He added a periodical examination of town centre parking should be welcomed and Rother will be carrying out a review later this year.

The debate over possible decriminalisation, which would see the county council take control for parking from the police and raise the possibility of on-street meters, came about after an answer Cllr Maynard gave to a question on the Ask The Leader section of Rother's website.

He revealed discussions were underway to transfer traffic wardens from police to county council control, and the subject of parking would be under review during 2008.

But Cllr Maynard told the Observer that Rother would be against any unsuitable scheme and would ensure residents and businesses were fully consulted should East Sussex County Council take up control of on-street parking.