BUSINESSES, residents and visitors are backing a petition against increasing parking charges in Weymouth.

The Weymouth and Portland Chamber of Commerce launched its petition on Thursday as the Echo went to press last night it had almost 850 signatures.

If it reaches 1,000 signatures, the petition can be presented officially to Weymouth and Portland Borough Council.

Several local businesses have taken to social media to promote the petition.

President of Weymouth and Portland Chamber of Commerce Michelle Hind is opposing the new parking policy and ‘demand that enough is enough.’

Some parking prices inWeymouth have been hiked by as much as 40 per cent.

Talking about the increase, Lucy Putt, marketing manager at Sealife Centre Weymouth, wants the council to reconsider its decision.

She said: “We just think this isn’t the best course of action in terms of how we treat visitors to the area, we’d just like the council to re-think their decision and put visitors and businesses first.”

Many people have left comments about the decision on the petition page.

Maria Bartzsch from Weymouth said on the website: “You are driving shoppers to Dorchester, you are trying to destroy our town centre shops as this policy will see me shopping elsewhere.”

Helen Thorne, from Weymouth commented: “I’m signing because I cannot afford to go into town with my car anymore. It costs far too much to park. I am unable to carry shopping far so need my car. Hence I don’t spend my money in Weymouth.”

It wasn’t just locals getting behind the petition though with people from further afield also commenting.

Anthony Shearman, from Bradley Stoke said: “Weymouth is a nice place to visit, but my goodness your proposed outrageous car parking charges will ensure I’ve made my last visit.”

Weymouth’s hotels and guest houses also rallied behind the petition.

Sue Leach from Sunnyside Guest House said: “Lack of parking and increasing parking charges stops visitors from visiting Weymouth as well the lack of shops.”

Many local shops and businesses have also supported the petition.

Vanessa White of Not Just Poodles in Weymouth said: “The town struggles enough - it’s just going to kill the town.

“I just find it unbelievable. Some people have to park its going to turn people off.”

Nikki Palmer of AccomodatingU doesn’t believe businesses can afford to see customers driven away by an increase in parking.

She said: “We cannot afford to lose that revenue. Business needs the council’s support and the council need to see that. It’s very short sighted of them.

Cllr Christine James, spokesman for transport and infrastructure at the borough council said that she wasn’t sure what the petition would achieve and wants to sit down with business leaders to try and find a conclusion.

The council had recently increased parking charges to battle a shortfall in income.