Keeping parking fair and simple in Brighton & Hove

Parking charges in Brighton & Hove will remain fair and be simplified under proposals being discussed by councillors on Thursday.

Cabinet members will consider fees and charges for 2026/27 as part of the process for setting this year’s budget.

This comes a year after all parking fees and charges were frozen for 2025/26.

The proposals would see daily charges frozen on council owned barrier operated car parks (London Road, The Lanes, Regency Square and Trafalgar Street) for another 12 months, meaning 2 full years without an increase.

Some will also see the introduction of early-bird, commuter and late-night tariffs.

We’re introducing a new 6 hour rate at most of our car parks to bridge the gap between the current 4 and 12 hour rates.

Resident, trader and business permits would only go up in line with corporate inflation of 3%, with season ticket prices rising by around 5% but permits for schools, doctors and paid and unpaid carers would be frozen.

More information about fees and charges changes can be found in the Cabinet report.

New seafront parking charges

To help simplify parking in the city, it’s proposed a new unified seafront tariff is introduced.

This would apply along the seafront road from Madeira Drive to the King Alfred Leisure Centre.

The tariff would be split into ‘summer’ and ‘winter’ charges to reflect the increase in demand during busy times of the year.

How money from fees and charges is spent

Money we receive in parking fees and charges pays for the cost of parking enforcement which is important to keeping traffic flowing round the city and ensuring public safety and access.

Any surplus is spent on provision of public transport services or to road, air quality or environmental improvements.

Our surplus pays for thousands of concessionary bus passes for older and disabled people.

It also supports bus routes that would otherwise not be commercially viable, and is used for transport schemes that promote safe, active and sustainable travel.

Simpler and fair parking

Councillor Trevor Muten, Cabinet member for Transport and City Infrastructure, said: “It’s important we keep the cost of parking in the city simple and fair. We were able to freeze all parking charges in 25/26 and we’ve worked hard to ensure fees and charges remain reasonable for 26/27 while also recognising our budget challenges.

“Freezing charges on our barrier operated car parks and introducing early bird and late night offers make them an attractive option for people coming into the city to work, shop or eat and drink.

“The vast majority of permit increases are in line with inflation, and I’m pleased we’ve frozen permit charges for paid and unpaid carers, supporting those who need it most. A 6 hour tariff will also close the current gap between the 4 and 12 hour rates.

“The new seafront tariff will simplify charges in the busiest area of the city where we know demand is high, especially during the summer months.”