HUNDREDS more spaces could be provided at two new sites to ease parking problems in Lyme Regis.

Lyme Regis Town Council is investigating the use of Strawberry Field, off Charmouth Road, for park and ride, and a second unnamed site close to Charmouth Road car park is also set to be opened for public parking.

But hopes of opening them in time for the bank holiday weekend were scuppered by hold-ups with insurance.

Deputy town clerk Mark Tredwin said: “Neither of the sites were open because of certain practicalities but we are still exploring both options to open as many avenues as possible.”

Parking is desperately needed because 275 spaces and coach parking have been lost at Charmouth Road car park while the Phase 4 coastal protection works are ongoing.

Councillors heard at a full council meeting last week that an area at Strawberry Field could be opened up for parking without interrupting the grazing animals.

The council has a 999-year lease on Strawberry Field and there is currently a woodland walk and a pitch and putt.

Town clerk John Wright said it is believed there was consent for park and ride dating back to 1995 and insurance was being discussed.

“There is a hard standing there that could probably accommodate 60 vehicles,” he said.

Mr Wright said he already had discussions with bus companies to operate a park and ride from there, but he warned the service would not be in place for the bank holiday weekend.

He said: “To have this facility available in town for when we have a spike, like when the Red Arrows come in, would be to the town's advantage.”

Some members suggested opening Strawberry Field for parking only in order to get it open quicker.

Coun George Symonds said: “Let people walk. Open it up, don't bother with the park and ride, move the sheep.”

Anita Williams said she was disappointed not to have progressed Strawberry Field earlier and wanted to get it open as soon as possible.

“We know people park up by Woodroffe, they park at the top of Sidmouth Road so they can walk from Strawberry Field,” she said.

Mr Wright advised councilors their efforts would be better concentrated on the other unnamed site while Strawberry Field is investigated further.

He said: “There have been discussions taking place elsewhere, and largely independently of the town council, about the opportunity for somebody else to actually provide parking in a facility not too far away from Charmouth Road car park - with an opportunity to create about 250 car parking spaces and there may even be 20 or 30 spaces beyond what there were in Charmouth Road.

“There are still some things to resolve. The organisation that is looking to do that needs to get insurance in place and that is a business risk for them.”

It was agreed to get Strawberry Field open 'as soon as is practicable'.