AN emergency worker says she was unable to park after a late shift because the council has removed bays near her house.

Last month, Brighton and Hove City Council announced it would be getting rid of Zone M parking spaces beside Hove Lawns as part of its move to create a 1.6 mile cycle lane along the A259.

The authority wants to tackle traffic by freeing up space for the many people cycling amid the coronavirus pandemic.

But some residents are furious, saying they have been left without anywhere to leave their cars.

One, a 999 call handler who lives in Lansdowne Place, said she had found the experience “sad and tiring”.

The 53-year-old, who did not wish to be named, said she had returned after a busy shift handling police calls in Lewes at 4am, only to find the bays had been removed and all other spaces nearby were full.

She eventually found a spot for her Fiat 500, but had to wake up and move it at 8.30am.

She said: “I’d been answering 999 calls for eight hours, and it was just sad and tiring when I couldn’t find anywhere to park. The main problem was that it was such a shock.

“There was no consultation and it just happened overnight. All the Zone M parking was just removed.

“I have a lot of sympathy with the idea for cycle lanes, but I don’t understand why they need a cycle path there. The council says it’s to help with social distancing, but the pavement is really wide, and you’ve already got Hove Lawns, the promenade, and the beach.”

“Even cyclists seem not to be on board with this one,” she added.

On the residents website Nextdoor, people have been up in arms. One suggested parking on Hove Lawns in protest. Another said she had to “beg a neighbour to use his driveway” after searching for a parking spot for two hours. One resident said it had become a “nightmare scenario” and asked: “Is anyone from the council actually checking on the parking situation?

The council did not respond to a request for comment. It has previously said that some bays between the A259 and the new cycle lane will be relocated, and disabled and loading bays will also be moved.

It has previously said: “The coronavirus public health crisis has resulted in cleaner air and quieter streets and an increase in residents cycling and walking.”