"DISGUSTING": Residents fume over car park prices in Weymouth
Dorset Council accused of "raking it in at other people's expense” after raising car park charges by 50% in 3 months
People in Weymouth are LIVID that the price of parking in the town has DOUBLED in recent months.
Many were left outraged after paying £6 for three hours: “I think the amount of money you pay for the time you get is ridiculous,” Tom said.
Sam added: “With the cost of living at the moment why are they targeting people parking their cars.”
In March, prices were increased in car parks such as Weymouth Beach, the Pavilion, Melcombe Regis, Overcombe and Lodmoor.
Car park charges at these sites have risen 50% since March, from £3 for three hours to a “disgraceful” £6 for the same time.
Dorset Council say the car parks chosen for price rises were in “busy tourist areas” to try and limit the impact on residents.
However, in some unfortunate circumstances, residents have found themselves paying these high prices just to run an errand, as Cathy told us: “Upping the price as much as they have is pretty bad, I've just paid £3 for an hour to go to a 20-minute appointment at the doctors.”
James, who was buying a ticket when we spoke to him, said. “It’s disgusting but what choice have you got? You can't park anywhere else and if you do, you get a ticket, so everybody's forced to use car parks and basically you get ripped off.
“I think they're taking the mick a little bit but what can you do? They're just raking it in really at other people's expense.”
Visitors have also been feeling the pinch. Matt, who came down from Manchester, said: “Coming down to attractions like the beach I did expect to pay more than usual but this is quite high.”
The Mayor of Weymouth, Cllr Kate Wheller has told us she also isn’t happy about the current state of car park prices in the town.
Mayor Wheller said: “With the economy as it is, we want to encourage visitors to come here but they need to be able to park for a reasonable price if they're going to spend the day, but if they’re spending a lot of money on parking, they’ll have less money to spend in our local businesses.”
She added: “I am concerned about the disparity now between car park charges in Weymouth and other towns in Dorset, which I had thought we were trying to even out. The recent rises have seemed to unbalance that again.”
The council insist that the prices have risen due to “rising costs” of running and maintaining the sites.