THE PUBLIC will have its chance to influence radical proposals for Weymouth's car parks after councillors called for a further review of the plans.

Councillors also emphasised the need to consider businesses after the president of Weymouth and Portland Chamber of Commerce Andy Cooke raised his concerns.

Weymouth and Portland Borough Council's scrutiny and performance committee was considering a parking services review drawn up by councillors that suggested a massive upheaval of parking services in the town.

Suggestions included a two-storey car park at the Swannery site, reducing the small parking areas in the town centre, computerised messaging signs and a land train to take shoppers to and from the town centre.

Former councillor John Birtwistle, who was part of the group who drew up the report, said: "It is a radical solution and I think it's what we need, a bit of vision for the future."

Mr Cooke said: "One thing I have seen is the concept of taking short-term car parking out of the town.

"I think the chamber would have some quite serious concerns about plans to take away too much car parking of that nature."

The committee has recommended that the report go before the policy development committee for detailed review and public consultation.

Committee chairman Brian Ellis said: "There are a significant number of matters that need further investigation. It's 10 years old, our parking policy, and it needs to be updated quickly."

Coun Ian James said: "It's very radical and I know the people on the committee put in an awful amount of hard work." He added: "Our current park and ride scheme is laughable."