CAMPAIGNERS have urged councillors to consult with residents after controversial plans to revamp parking were shelved.

Members of Weymouth and Portland Borough Council’s management committee rejected proposals to increase charges at car parks in the borough and reintroduce fees for parking during the evening, Further plans to introduce charges for free car parks in the borough were deferred pending consultation with the policy development committee.

The revised proposals will be presented to the management committee at its meeting in December.

Residents from Radipole and Southill spoke at the meeting to air their concerns about plans to introduce charges for free car parks.

Councillors from Portland, including Cllr Margaret Leicester and Cllr Paul Kimber, attended to voice their opposition to the proposed introduction of charges at a number of free car parks on the island.

Pete Barrow, chairman of Southill Play Area Recreation for Kids (SPARK), said he was “pleased” that the council had taken this decision.

He added: “I think it was a good example of the community standing up and saying let’s think again.

“We are concerned that, although it has been deferred, they might still come back with something we don’t like.

“We would hope that they come and talk to us.

“There were several people there representing community groups and it would be very good if the council said they would form a focus group.”

Mr Barrow presented a petition to councillors with more than 600 signatures against the planned charges in Southill and a second community petition was also handed to the committee by ward councillor Oz Kanji.

Councillors voted to approve an investment of £300,000, to be taken from council reserves, to fund maintenance work on the borough’s car parks, including resurfacing and modernisation of parking machines.

Cllr Jeff Cant, chairman of the committee, said that he was “impressed” by the speakers from the public and said “sometimes tough decisions have to be made”.

A report presented by officers recommended that councillors approve the new structure of fees in order to fund the maintenance work.

These changes would have included increases of up to 30p at car parks in the borough, as well as the introduction of overnight charges at town centre car parks, which are currently free between 6pm and 8am.

Cllr Andy Blackwood said: “There is this idea that floats around that car parking is being used as a cash cow.

“We actually cannot make profit from car parking.

“The council has to set car parking charges based on predictions about what the conditions may be.

“It is inevitably a piece of guesswork.”

Cllr Gill Taylor opposed the proposals to alter the current structure for parking fees.

She said: “I think we have to support our businesses in town and I do not think we do that terribly well.

“To look at it just from introducing evening charges and putting charges up is a very short term and naive way of looking at it.”

Cllr Christine James said: “I am not going to agree to overnight charges.

“All of the businesses have said what a difference it made to them. It will put people off.”

Cllr Kevin Brookes said he was not in favour of the return of overnight fees.

He added: “The town is just about getting moving and that would be seen as a tad cynical.

“We need to be a bit more imaginative and a bit more forward-looking.”

COUNCILLORS in Weymouth and Portland will seek to negotiate with the county council over parking for residents.

As part of the plans to revamp parking, a proposal was considered with regards to changes to residents’ parking during events at the harbourside.

During events such as the Seafood Festival, harbourside parking is often minimal and this has provoked anger among residents who have purchased permits from the county council and must pay to use borough council car parks..

Transport and infrastructure spokesman Cllr Colin Huckle said councillors needed to enter into “urgent discussions” with DCC to resolve the issue and present a long-term solution for residents in the area.

Cllr Huckle said: “We have tried to help and did so when the filming was on..
“We have also got issues with another area up by the Nothe with people who cannot park because of holidaymakers.”

During the recent Dunkirk filming, Zone F permit holders were able to park in either the Pavilion or Swannery car parks, whilst Zone L holders were allowed to use either the Nothe or North Quay.

Cllr Jeff Cant said that the community was “very appreciative” of the concessions made for residents during the filming.