7 Days of Headlines with Phil Mills

Parking in the city, the Lib Dem party conference, and makeover plans for Lewes Road

City residents are being asked for their views on parking in Brighton and Hove but motorists are complaining the survey doesn’t ask for comments about one of the most contentious issues – the price of parking.

Rosemary McDermott emailed Latest 7: “The anti-car council charged me £6 to park for two hours in Norfolk Square on Sunday – yes, Sunday, a day not that many years ago you could park in the city for free. They make millions from this cash cow, milk and whip car owners, yet don’t allow us to say anything about charges on their parking survey. It’s a non-funny joke.” What do you think? Email comment@thelatest.co.uk

The city-wide review of parking, according to the council, aims to “improve the service for everyone” and to improve air quality. They say: “We are currently running a consultation about different aspects of parking, including resident parking schemes, as part of the review. The survey is being mailed out to 6,000 residents and can be completed online. The closing date is 26 October. To give us your views, go to the citywide parking online survey.”

The headlines were dominated by the disappearance of a 15-year-old schoolgirl who went to France with her maths teacher, while Sussex Police thanked members of the public who left flowers at Brighton Police Station in honour of the two Greater Manchester Police Officers who were shot dead. Chief Constable Martin Richards said: “It is heart warming to know that many people besides police officers have been affected by this tragic incident. It is a stark reminder of the potential danger that our frontline officers and staff face every time they are on duty.”

In other news, thieves had to undergo decontamination after they were caught breaking into a building thick with asbestos.

Gales and heavy rain swept through the city, while shoppers carried on queuing at the Apple store in Churchill Square for the launch of the new iPhone 5.

A dolphin was spotted off Brighton beach, opposite the Volks Railway station, a man was attacked with a hammer after disturbing burglars in Portslade, and the Lib Dem party conference brought traffic chaos, 2,500 delegates and more than £2m much needed revenue to shops, hotels and other city businesses.

Back to the city’s roads and news that a majority of residents who answered a survey are backing council plans to install bus and cycle lanes along Lewes Road – half of the width of the current dual carriageway between the Vogue and Falmer stadium will be taken up by the lanes, leaving one lane in each direction for cars and other traffic. The council says the changes will increase uptake of cycling, reduce traffic by 10 per cent, increase bus use by 25 per cent and improve bus journey times by 30 per cent.

And traffic jams? A council spokesperson said: “Modelling suggests this is generally unlikely. The changes will benefit everyone and all modes of transport.”