WEYMOUTH'S park and ride is still operating at a loss of hundreds of thousands of pounds- and it was only at full capacity for one day last year. But after concerns were raised, the county council decided to leave the situation as it is for another 28 months, the Echo can reveal.

Three years after an investigation by this newspaper in to use of the Mount Pleasant site, it is still bleeding money- despite the county council producing a report on how it can boost numbers.

It says park and ride can shift thousands of cars off the road but not enough people seem to be using its sites, particularly at Weymouth.

The park and ride made £114,472 last year but cost £278,000 to run. This is works out as more than £23,000 paid out per month (or an average of £766 a day) and £9,500 income (£316 per day).

This means it's operating at a loss of more than £13,500 per month, or £450 per day.

Despite 42 return trips a day and more on event days and 'peak' days, the facility was only at full capacity once during 2014- Weymouth Carnival day.

It reached over 90 per cent capacity on 22 days.

Last year, a report said chiefs need to do more to encourage people into the facility and Dorchester park and ride, which is also underused.

They developed a six-point action plan;

- Linking with other key partners

-Reviewing the parking system at council sites

-Incentivise use of park and ride

-Investigate and provide south of the A35 Dorchester park and ride site with Dorchester employers to maximise use

-Continue liaison with borough and district councils to align park and ride with town centre parking strategies

-Investigate other authorities to understand levels of subsidies

But, six months later, once investigations had been undertaken, councillors were advised to leave Mount Pleasant running as it is for another18 months to give time for the Weymouth Town Centre Masterplan and other parking changes to be implemented. However, the minutes show it was decided to leave the model as it is for 28 months.

Over the course of those 28 months, based on the figures provided, £644,000 will be spent running the facility- £266,000 will be made in income.

Waiting 28 months from the date this decision was made takes us up to May 19, 2017.

It has prompted local leaders to ask why nothing is being done sooner.

Ian Bruce, leader of the Conservative party on the borough council, said he has been pressing DCC to look at the park and ride.

"There is no reason whatsoever to do with the masterplan that they should be saying they can't make a decision for 28 months on the park and ride. That is the totally wrong way to think about it," he said.

"The fact that it is making just over £114,000 and costing £278,000 to run should be addressed.

"Dealing with car parking is the top priority of the new administration [on WPBC].

"We are going to make sure that what is available in terms of parking and access in our town is what appears to me to be what 99 per cent of the people are saying they want."

Weymouth and Portland Chamber of Commerce president Michelle Hind said she would be asking questions.

"The park and ride is a costly exercise for taxpayers and a vision that should be abandoned before more money is wasted. Why is it that elected members can make such a catastrophic mess and not be held accountable?"

THE minutes from the EOC meeting state;

Resolved- -That continuation of the operation of the Park and Ride sites under the current arrangements for a further period of 28 months be confirmed, during which time the Weymouth Masterplanning work would develop, large employment engagement would have increased and the single delivery parking model was implemented.

- That the DTEP working group play its part in monitoring the Dorchester aspect of the initiative, with the Weymouth elements being incorporated into the Masterplan and Western Growth Hub Steering Group.

Reason for decisions - Park and Ride was an essential method of managing town centre parking.

The nature of Dorset and the reliance on motorised transport meant that parking would be essential for the medium to long term needs of the towns. Maintaining these sites and increasing the usage, greatly assists in reducing peak town centre congestion, freeing up space for short-term shoppers to park and helped with economic growth.

The Echo wanted to speak to those who have been involved in looking at the park and ride.

We called the current chairman of the EOC, Cllr Daryl Turner, but he only took over at the last meeting and was not chair when this decision was made. He said he would look in to the situation immediately.

Cllr Robin Cooke, former chairman of the EOC said that without a copy of the report he could not comment. He suggested we speak to Cllr Peter Finney, member for environment, as did vice-chairman Margaret Phipps.

Cllr Finney said park and ride is a 'complex issue.'

"We are absolutely certain that it can make money but it really depends on WPBC adjusting their parking," he said.

"There are lots of things which are going to happen in the area- such as Jurassica and the Masterplan- so there is evidence that that it [the park and ride] will make money in the future.

"It is really good value for money- for £3 a day you can take the family and enjoy Weymouth."

He said the hope is that enough revenue will be made in the future to counteract the loss now.

"It's about working together [with WPBC] to make sure we can produce a sensible way forward without having to cost the taxpayer any more."