New parking charges start TODAY in Dorset
Council run car parks will no longer be free on Sundays
Parking charges across Dorset are being reviewed by residents, local businesses and town and parish councils as Dorset Council quadruple the price in some areas.
The first phase of Dorset Council's parking transformation project comes into effect today. (1 April)
All-day charging in Lyme Regis and West Bay car parks will rise to £8, the charging period in Purbeck will align with other council car parks (8am to 6pm.)
Sunday charging will start for car parks in Beaminster, Blandford, Bridport, Dorchester, Gillingham, Shaftesbury, Sherborne and Sturminster Newton.
This follows agreement by councillors at a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday 8th December.
Drivers using car parks in West Bay and Lyme Regis can choose to park for one hour, two hours, three hours, four hours, six hours or all-day, with one hours parking starting at 50p and the all-day tariff now £6 in the low season and £8 during the peak season (April to October inclusive).
For workers who use these car parks, long stay parking permits (season tickets) are available via the Dorset Council website.
PARKING CHARGES ARE BEING REVIEWED
Discussions have started with local communities across the Dorset Council area to engage with them on a review of parking charges.
The parking transformation project has set up stakeholder groups to present initial findings from research and analysis to community representatives, and to gain specific local information on parking.
The nine stakeholder groups include residents, local business representatives and town and parish councillors.
Final details are currently being put into the proposals, which will be presented to the working groups on 6th April and will be followed with a four-week period for stakeholders to comment on the plans.
PERMITS TO BE REVIEWED
Cllr Ray Bryan, Portfolio Holder for Highways, Travel and Environment, said:
"When Dorset Council was formed, we inherited a number of different charging strategies. As a result, we currently have 76 different permits in circulation, with varying rules and prices that, when compared, are not fair. For instance, car park charges span from being free to £9 for all day parking.
"Our proposal will centre around a three-level strategy that differentiates between the diverse and unique areas that Dorset enjoys - rural, costal and town. Alongside this, we're also looking at a permit that is only available for Dorset Council residents, which will offer reduced parking charges in our car parks.
"We're discussing issues at a local level within these working groups to best understand local parking pressures. We want a pricing strategy that works for as many people as possible."