TRADERS are saying enough is enough when it comes to the state of parking in Weymouth and Portland.

Ticket costs and disrepair have been cited as bones of contention for local businesses.

It comes as more than 1,000 have signed a petition against increased parking prices which have seen costs hiked by up to 40 per cent in some areas.

Weymouth BID has been in talks with the borough council about a number of improvements it wants to see made.

It is setting up a shoppers' discount voucher scheme to entice more people in to the town centre.

Steve Newstead, chairman of the BID, said: "There are a few things we want improved.

"One is the state of disrepair in the car parks- the fact that whenever you get out of a car in Weymouth, you stick your foot in a puddle.

"Another is signposting- people coming in to the town don't know where to go or how much it is.

"The other is parking prices. We are completely onboard with the Chamber of Commerce petition.

"You are penalised for coming in to town; if you're an out-of-town shopper, you don't have to pay.

"And it's very difficult to know that if you go to Lyme Regis for the day, it costs £2 to park. Here it's over £15. And considering we are the second-largest conurbation in Dorset, we really should be doing more about this."

The numbers are yet to be finalised, BID manager Nigel Reed said, but the scheme will be the same as that which currently runs in Dorchester.

When a shopper pays £10 for goods in a participating shop, they trade in their voucher and receive £1.

The shop keeps the voucher and hands these over to the BID, which pays 50p to every £1.

Robin Clarke, who owns Meridian Shoes in both Weymouth and Dorchester, says there is a marked difference between the two towns.

"The parking scheme is badly needed in Weymouth. Charges are horrendous and we need to see a reduction, particularly in the winter months.

"Dorchester is thriving; you can come here and park all day for a couple of quid.

"Weymouth, you can pay the same amount for an hour-and-a-half.

"When people living on the Dorchester road wake up on a Saturday morning, where do you think they are going to go?

"They say 'should we go to Weymouth and spend a fortune on parking? Or shall we go to Dorchester, or even Poole or Bournemouth?'

"Parking is just one issue in Weymouth and it's not the main problem, but there are things the council could easily do to draw people back in."

Jack Creeber, parking manager at WPBC, said: “This BID scheme looks set to encourage more shoppers to visit Weymouth and Portland and we are very pleased to support it. We look forward to working with the BID in future to help make this scheme happen.”

He added: “Borough parking prices are still cheaper or in-line with other seaside resorts across the South West.”

The Chamber of Commerce has to wait until a new briefholder is appointed for transport and infrastructure next week before it can present its petition to the council.

THE state of Chesil Beach car park has left customers feeling ‘ripped off.’
There isn't a 'day that goes by' that visitors don't complain about the WPBC-run car park, manager of the Taste Café, Martin Smith, said.
At the start of April, prices doubled for the summer.
“There isn’t a day goes by without it being brought up," said Mr Smith.
“It's shocking really. Some regulars have said they actually reconsider coming here.”
Mr Smith feels attempts to fix the problem have been inadequate. 
He said: “They come in and stick in some gravel and its good for one or two weeks but as soon as it rains it goes straight back to the way it is now.
“It's really not good enough. There’s not enough investment. People feel that they’re being totally ripped off.”
Jack Creeber, head of parking at WPBC, said: “Chesil Beach car park is made up of a granular structure and is constantly moving, this combined with a high water table makes the car park difficult to keep in good condition.
“The borough council is currently exploring options to find a solution.”