New parking charges in Dorset Council-owned car parks

The 'parking transformation project' aims to develop a more consistent approach to car parking charges across the area - although many people, including visitors, are likely to find themselves paying more.

The new tier-based tariff system has included a review of on-street car parking charges, council car park prices and car park permits.

Some of the unpopular changes include:

*Tourist car parks will cost £10 a day in high season

* A 200 per cent increase to the all-day parking charge in Lyme Regis and West Bay (£2 to £8)

* It will no longer be free to use council car parks on Sundays

* Five car parks that are currently free will see charges introduced

Announcing the changes, Dorset Council says that residents and workers in Dorset will benefit from cheaper prices through two new car park permits. One costing £78 for 12 months provides parking for two hours every day in the majority of the short stay car parks and costs £78 for 12 months. Meanwhile the flexi stay permit costing £25 a month or £260 for 12 months provides unlimited parking in the majority of the long stay car parks and free parking for two hours every day in the majority of the short stay car parks.

A Dorset Council spokesman said: "Cabinet approved the new, more consistent charging structure and pricing in November.

"Car parking charges and fines fund the operation of the council’s parking services department. Any surplus the service makes goes into the highways service, helping fund drainage works, reactive pothole repairs, car park safety and general maintenance."

Tourist car parks will be charged at the highest rate of £10 for ten hours in the high season, £6 maximum in the low season and will cover Weymouth’s car parks nearest the beaches, some Portland car parks, Corfe Castle, Lyme Regis, and West Bay.

The next tier down will be charged at a maximum of £6 for 10 hours, £3.50 for four hours. Includes Dorchester, Blandford, Bridport, Shaftesbury, Sherborne, Wareham, Weymouth (non-beach) and Wimborne.

The lowest tier, for Beaminster, Charmouth, Ferndown, Gillingham, Sturminster Newton, Verwood and West Bexington will also be seasonal, up to a maximum of £10 for Charmouth and West Bexington for ten hours, or £4 off season. Hourly charges at these car parks will be £1 for two hours in the low season and £3 for two hours in the high season.

Scheduled dates for price changes

Beaminster – 4 April

• The Square

• Yarn Barton

• Yarn Barton (multi use)

Blandford – 28 March*

• Church Lane

• Eagle House Gardens

• Langton Road

• Langton Road (multi use)

• Marsh & Ham

• Marsh & Ham (multi use)

• Station Court

• *Stour Meadows (29 March)

Bridport – 4 April

• East Street

• Hope Terrace

• Rope Walks

• South Street

• West Street

• West Street (multi use)

• Wykes Court

Charmouth – 31 March

• Lower Sea Lane

• Lower Sea Lane (multi use)

Corfe Castle – 31 March

• Purbeck Park

• Purbeck Park (multi use)

• West Street

Dorchester – 5 April

• Acland Road

• Colliton Park

• Durngate Street

• Fairfield

• Fairfield (Covered Area)

• Old Market

• Top O Town

• Top O Town (multi use)

• Trinity Street (North)

• Trinity Street (South)

• Wollaston Field.

Ferndown – 29 March

• Pennys Lodge

Gillingham – 30 March

• Chantry Fields

• Gas Lane

• High Street

Lyme Regis – 6 April

• Broad Street

• Charmouth Road

• Charmouth Road (multi use)

• Cobb Gate

• Holmbush

• Holmbush (multi use)

Portland – 29 March

• Castletown

• Chesil

• Portland Bill

• Portland (multi use)

Shaftesbury – 29 March

• Angel Lane

• Bell Street

• Bell Street (multi use)

Sherborne – 6 April

• Acreman Street

• Coldharbour

• Culverhayes

• Culverhayes (multi use)

• Newlands North

• Old Market Yard

Sturminster Newton – 30 March

• Church Street

• Station Road

Verwood – 1 April

• Jenner Close

• Potters Wheel

• The Hub

Wareham – 30 March

• Bonnets Lane

• Rempstone Centre

• Streche Road

• Streche Road (multi use)

• Connegar Lane

West Bay – 31 March and 4 April

• Bridport Arms – 4 April

• East Beach – 31 March

• Esplanade – 31 March

• Quayside – 4 April

• Station Yard – 31 March

• The George – 4 April

• The Mound – 31 March

• West Bay Road – 4 April

• West Bay Road (multi use) – 4 April

West Bexington – 4 April

• The Beach

Weymouth – Various dates

• Beach – 29 March

• Cosens Quay – 30 March

• Council Offices – 30 March

• Governors Lane – 30 March

• Harbourside – 30 March

• Lodmoor – 29 March

• Lodmoor Multi Use – 29 March

• Melcombe Regis – 30 March

• Overcombe – 29 March

• Park Street – 30 March

• Pavilion – 30 March

• Pavilion Forecourt – 5 April

• Royal Yard – 30 March

• Swannery – 5 April

• Nothe – 30 March

Wimborne – 28 March

• Allenview

• Allenview (multi use)

• Hanham Road

• King Street

• Leigh Road

Wimborne – 29 March

• Park Lane

• Poole Road

• Pye Corner

• Walford Mill

• Westfield Close