A DECISION to extend car parking charges and increase some fees has been blasted as 'short sighted' by traders – as a revolt against the move grows.

Residents, business owners and councillors are angered by the decision by Dorset Council to introduce changes at car parks, which includes sites at Bridport, Beaminster and Lyme Regis.

It has sparked fears it will make more people stay at home instead of supporting local businesses, which are struggling in the pandemic.

Car parking charges are being extended from 8am until 8pm in all Dorset Council-run car parks from early next year. Parking is currently free after 6pm.

Sunday fees will also be introduced for the first time at car parks in Bridport and Beaminster.

In Lyme Regis (Charmouth Road and Holmbush) and West Bay (East Beach, Station Yard and West Bay Road), car park charges will be increased from £2 for all day parking to £4.

All other tariffs will remain unchanged at this time.

The changes come as part of an ongoing review of car parks following the creation of Dorset Council and aims to make car park charging more comparable across the council area.

But Fiona Taylor, manager of Malabar Trading on South Street, Bridport, said: "I think it's very short sighted and won't do local business any favours.

"Ultimately it will probably put people off. Lots of people come here for the day, they love Bridport because of all the independent shops. It just gives them another reason not to come.

"We should be encouraging people to come into local towns and visiting the local shops and restaurants, instead of giving them more reasons to stay at home and doing their shopping online."

John Baker, landlord of The Ropemakers pub in Bridport, said: “It’s not going to do local trade any good because people may well be deterred from coming into town.

“The whole of winter is going to be a struggle for the industry and anything that puts people off coming into town is not welcome.”

Ross Moore, one of the owners of the Station Kitchen at West Bay, said: “It’s counter productive to helping the local small businesses get back on their feet. There will no doubt be people that want to visit the area that will be put off by this.

"Although I don’t think it will affect us too greatly at The Station Kitchen, I fear for the wider community and wonder if there are other ways the council can recoup losses.

“They should be encouraging people to visit the area and not trying to deter them.”

Dorset councillors discussed the charges in a meeting on Monday – and every councillor that spoke was unhappy with the charges. They argued that the new charges would result in drivers touring the streets, adding to pollution, to find places to park for free. They also said that the new evening charge, to 8pm, and the new Sunday charge, would put people off visiting local pubs, cafés and restaurants.

An increasing number of councillors say the new charges will hit the local economy hard at a time when it needs help and want a review of the decision.

Cllr Daryl Turner has called for a rapid review of the policy and the way it was made without any consultation. He said the way the decision was announced was “wholly wrong” and he also called for a full report on the implications of the changes.