PARKING charges at West Bay and Lyme Regis could be set to increase to £10 a day from next year.

Dorset Council has proposed a new pricing structure for car parks across the council area in a bid to standardise costs, which currently span from free to £9 all day.

The proposed three tier pricing structure will see car parks at West Bay and Lyme Regis, alongside two level one west Dorset car parks, increase to £10 a day during the peak season from April 1 to October 31.

Level one pricing is proposed for areas across Dorset including Beaminster, Charmouth and West Bexington. It would start at 50p for 30 minutes and rise to £4 for all day, during the off-peak season.

Prices would remain the same in the peak season, except for Charmouth and West Bexington where prices would increase, starting at £1 for 30 minutes and rising to £10 a day.

There is currently no charging for on-street parking in level one areas, which would be raised to up to £1 for 90 minutes if the council's proposal is approved.

Bridport town centre car parks would come under the level two pricing range, proposed to start at 50p for 30 minutes and will rise to £6 for all day.

Level three pricing would include west Dorset holiday destinations Lyme Regis and West Bay.

It is proposed that parking fees in these locations would start at 50p for 30 minutes and rise to £6 for all day during the low season. During the peak season, rates would rise to £1 per hour with all day rates rising to £10.

This follows outcry last year, when Dorset Council quadrupled car park prices in Lyme Regis and West Bay, raising them from £2 to £8 in an increase of 400 per cent.

The council claimed at the time that it was to bring West Bay and Lyme Regis in line with other seaside towns in Dorset.

Councillor Ray Bryan, Dorset Council portfolio holder for highways, travel and environment, said: "We want a pricing strategy that works for as many people as possible and brings consistency in parking charges across the Dorset Council area. We also want to mitigate the impact of any price changes on Dorset’s residents, workers, and shoppers by offering discounted parking through a new permit.

"We’re trying to get the right balance so that costs are not so high that our car parks are under-used and people are pushed into parking on residential roads, but not so low that drivers cannot find a space to park or choose to drive rather than using a more sustainable form of travel.

"We also want our peak season charges to be aimed at visitors by making them comparable to prices at similar destinations in the south. Our proposed Dorset parking permit will protect our residents and workers from paying these higher prices."

He added: "We’ll be gathering comments from residents, stakeholder groups, parish and town councillors and Dorset Council members, so please take the time to complete the permit survey and/or speak with your local town, parish or Dorset councillor to find out more about this work developing the new parking charges."

To complete the survey, visit the Dorset Council website.