BUSINESS leaders have slammed Weymouth and Portland Borough Council (WPBC) for its “ludicrous and sledgehammer approach” in a row over a possible increase in the town’s parking charges.

As reported in the Echo, councillors are to discuss a shake-up of the parking system following a review into the way the council manages its car parks in the town centre and throughout the borough.

Increasing charges in short and long stay car parks, an increase in season ticket prices, longer charging hours and a seasonal tariff with a residents’ discount will all be discussed by the borough’s management committee tomorrow.

Example proposals include hiking up prices for short stay Governors Lane and Harbourside car parks by 30p for half an hour's parking and by 50p for all other tariffs. Long stay car parks would also see prices rise by 50p except for the six hour charge which would go up by £1 and the all day charge up by £2.

A further customer survey is also set to be carried out during the summer season.

Now, the town’s business chiefs have hit out at the council over the proposals, saying they feel they are constantly being “kicked” by the council when they try and increase trade in the town centre. They also claim all trust and confidence in the council to help the business community has been lost.

Julie Cleaver, outgoing president of Weymouth and Portland Chamber of Commerce, said communication from the council to the business community had “completely broken down.”

She said: “A lot of people are working very hard to promote Weymouth and to bring people to the town but at every turn, the council seems to be putting obstacles in our way.

“There has been no consultation with the business community about parking charges or changes to parking charges and they have again just gone in with a sledgehammer approach.

“It’s ludicrous.”

Nigel Reed, manager of Weymouth Business Improvement District (BID), said he and the BID felt they were being “constantly kicked” by the council in their attempt to try and promote the town and entice more people to Weymouth throughout the year, and pleaded with the authority to talk to local businesses about car parking charges.

Mr Reed said: “The view is the local authority is pleased we are doing all this hard work promoting the town, but then continues to make town centre businesses struggle even more and make promoting the town harder.

“It just feels like the council is constantly kicking us every time, and if the parking charges are increased, it’s going to take us back a lot.

“The confidence and trust once again is lost from the business community who employ many of those that live here.”

Speaking at the full council meeting last week, Cllr Christine James said no decision had been made on possible changes to the car parking system, but said she felt the council used car parks as “an eternal cash cow” and hoped councillors would think “outside of the box” when they discuss the issue.

Stephen Newstead, chairman of the BID, said: “The main issue with parking is the disparity across the borough.

“The council needs to look at it from a much more focused and holistic approach, and be looking to drive trade into the town centre.

“If the charges were to increase, it would be like the council cutting off their noses to spite their faces.”