FOI request (FOIR-730583972)

Parking penalty signs on sea-front.

Requested Fri 11 July 2025
Responded Wed 20 August 2025

Since early 2009 since moving here, I have regularly walked along the sea front from bottom of Filsham Road into both Hastings and the Old Town. One thing that has amazed and annoyed me is the recent appearance of very professional (expensive) metal signs attached to the promenade railings threatening £50 parking fines for unauthorised parking!

In all this time, the only vehicles I have ever seen either driving along, or stationary, have been the 'Foreshore Patrol' or other vehicles servicing the Azure building and other concession's under Bottle Alley.

My request is:

1. How many reported incidents of this type of parking have there been during the last 2 years? What is the evidence that this has ever been an issue?

2. How much did this cost?

3. How many parking enforcement patrols will there be per day?

4. Where are the possible access points from the public road onto the promenade and what are the options to modify them to prevent it being possible?

5. What is the expected revenue compared to the cost of the patrols?

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Response

1. This is difficult to answer as a Freedom of Information request without giving context.

Hastings Borough Council has had 9 complaints about cars on the promenade for the last 2 years mostly from Councillors and Officers. This was before the parking order was imposed during the summer. There have been cars parked on the promenade outside the Pier and by the Source everyday. On some days this has been as many as 18 cars. We have also seen cars park regularly on the promenade at other areas such as by Marina and Warrior Square. We have incurred significant costs from damage to the promenade from unauthorised vehicle access. We have also received numerous claims against our insurance for injuries sustained following damage to the promenade creating trip hazards. In 2024 a vehicle accessing the promenade without permission accidentally reversed down the stairs, risking major injury to promenade users.

2. To produce and install the signage cost - £6,470.

3. Patrols are carried out everyday as staff will see offences as they go past the promenade whilst on their general patrols.

4 - At every pedestrian crossing point there is the possibility of accessing the promenade by a vehicle. There are sections of the promenade with a low kerb where it is also possible to access the promenade and there are gates and barriers which can also be used to access the promenade. There are no real options to design a way to stop these entrance points other than spending more than the cost of the parking order.

5. There is no expected revenue from this. The general effect of this Order is to change and regulate the use of the Promenade in regard to controlled parking. In particular to stop unauthorised driving and parking on the Promenade to the benefit members of the public to the area and to encourage cycling by providing formal parking places for pedal cycles. This order will be used for the prevention of danger, obstruction or annoyance to persons using the Esplanades or Promenades cause by unauthorised parking of vehicles.