COUNCILLORS have agreed to consult on proposed increases to parking charges in Bridport and west Dorset

West Dorset District Council's executive committee met to consider the authority's parking strategy for the 2017/18 financial year and a report before members had recommended they go straight to a decision on proposed increases.

However, at the meeting it was agreed that the council will now go out to consultation with stakeholders, including town councils, chambers of commerce and the BID (Business Improvement District) before a decision is made in December.

A report considered the committee stated that the authority required an additional £100,000 in maintenance funding to avoid some of its car parks falling into an "unacceptable condition", while a budget of £300,000 was also required for capital works.

Under the proposed increases, the cost of parking for one hour in one of Bridport's short stay car parks would rise from 40p to 60p, with the two-hour charge increasing from 80p to £1. All day parking in the town's long stay car parks would go up from £2.80 to £4.50.

In Lyme Regis the short stay charge for one hour would go up from 70p to 80p and the all day charge in long stay car parks would rise from £2 to £4.50.

The cost of season tickets are also proposed for an increase, with a level five ticket permitting parking in all West Dorset District Council car parks going up from £720 to £740.

Cllr Susie Hosford said she was "grateful" that the committee had agreed to go out to consultation on the proposed increases, rather than going straight to a decision.

She said there would have been a "very high level of annoyance" had the usual consultation process not been adopted.

Cllr Hosford added that she had concerns about the impact of increases in long stay parking charges on residential roads, as workers were likely to start parking there to avoid paying the larger fees.

She said: "Hikes in long term parking parking drivers low paid workers out of the car parks where we want them to be parking and into residential areas where we don't want them to be parking."

Cllr Molly Rennie sought reassurance that free parking on Sundays and overnight would remain and Cllr John Russell, the council's portfolio holder for environmental protection and assets, insisted there were no plans to remove the free parking.