Some council-run car parks will reopen after all.

In response to the changing situation over the past week, Dorset Council is reopening some car parks and public toilets in key locations in time for the bank holiday weekend to help cope with demand.

It says the usual charges will apply at these car parks.

The council's car parks and public toilets remained closed after the Government eased lockdown restrictions in a bid to deter people from flocking to beauty spots.

However there have been reports of inconsiderate parking by members of the public in response to not being able to access car parks.

Warm weather this week has seen cars blocking roads near beauty spots. 

On Tuesday, Swanage Coastguard issued a plea after they found a car blocking an emergency access route.

Last week, there were issues in a number of areas including Lulworth, Portland and West Bexington with irresponsible behaviour by visitors such as illegal parking, littering and lack of social distancing. Since the weekend, and with the good weather, the number of visitors to the county appears to be 'increasing significantly,' according to the council. 

Portland Town Council says it's been advised by Dorset Council to reopen the car park at Portland Bill by this Saturday. 

It is has therefore decided to open the public toilets on Portland from this Saturday. The toilets managed by the town council are at the following sites: Portland Bill, Easton, Yeates Road (behind Portland Heights Hotel), and Fortuneswell.

A spokesman  for Portland Town Council said: "We have been listening to residents’ concerns and have been following advice from Dorset Council so we believe that this is in the best interests of public health."

Along with Dorset Police and health chiefs, Dorset Council is still strongly pushing a 'think twice' message and is continuing to ask people thinking of visiting Dorset’s seaside or beauty spots over the bank holiday weekend and half term to be considerate and think about the potential impact of any visit on Dorset’s communities.

Dorset currently has one of the lowest Covid-19 infection rates in the country people from other areas of the country are being asked not to visit at present as it risks spreading the virus to local communities.

Dorset has a large older population and many people have underlying health conditions which make them more vulnerable to the virus.

Dorset Council leader, Cllr Spencer Flower, said: “Throughout the pandemic all councils have had to react to a rapidly changing situation, and our priority has always been to protect the health and wellbeing of Dorset residents above all else.

“We continue to ask visitors to Think Twice about coming to our county at this time.

“However, after closely monitoring what is happening at various locations around Dorset over the past week, we have taken the sensible, but very difficult, decision to adapt our approach in order to deal with emerging problems.

“There are no perfect solutions at this time of crisis. Striking the balance between looking after the safety and health of all our residents while discouraging the mass gathering of people at our many beautiful tourist destinations will remain difficult for the foreseeable future.

“I would like to thank town and parish councils for working with us on these arrangements. And I would particularly like to thank all Dorset residents for their patience and understanding. Dorset Council is working non-stop to rise to the challenge of Covid-19 and I remain incredibly proud of our efforts during these unprecedented times.”

The council also plans to re-open car parks at its country parks next week as part of its phased 're-opening' of Dorset.

It says it reserves the right to close or suspend any facilities if it is deemed that public health is in danger through visitors not following social distancing measures.

Contactless payment for parking via phone-call, text message or smartphone app is encouraged as the safest way to avoid spread of the virus.

However, in response to public requests, the council is reinstating cash and card payment methods for drivers who do not use a mobile phone.

Due to the required use of keypads at payment machines, visitors who choose to pay by cash or card do so at their own risk. People are strongly encouraged to wash their hands both before and after using the machines to lower the chance of infection.