A solution could be in sight to solve a parking nightmare in central Weymouth.

Residents believe the on-street parking permit scheme in the Park District is not fit for purpose and are demanding changes.

The main issue is that there are not enough spaces for the people who live, work and stay there – the area consists of narrow streets, is home to a lot of holiday accommodation and there are also many flats and HMOs.

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Some people feel trapped through the summer and on weekends, afraid to move their cars in case they can't find a space on their return. They are fed up with permits being given to hotels and B&Bs while they struggle to find spaces – despite paying £70 a year for each permit.

Dorset Council is investigating ways to improve the situation and has been asking residents with permits in Zones A & C in the Park District to get involved and share their views on the future of their permit scheme.

There is two weeks left for residents to have a say in a survey, while a final consultation event is being planned for next week for those people who can't fill out the survey online.

Residents are being asked to have their say on a range of permit-related questions, including if there should be free permits for ‘green’ vehicles, if they would pay more for a permit that covered parking in a car park, removing one-hour spaces and restricting business parking permits.

Residents are also be asked if they think incremental charges should be brought in, with each additional car permit costing more.

Dorset Council parking services manager Paul Hutton said: “We’ve had a relatively good response so far, with over 150 completed surveys, but we really do want to hear from as many people as possible.

"The results of the survey will directly impact on the future of the residents on-street parking permit scheme in the Park District.

“We know that the main problem in the area is the significant difference in the number of spaces available and the number of people wishing to park their cars. We can’t create additional space on the road, but there are other options available to help better manage the situation.”

For anyone unable to access the online survey, members of the parking services team will be available at the Park District Community Centre, Chelmsford Street from 4pm to 8pm on Tuesday, November 19.

The survey is available until Sunday, December 1 at www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/weymouth-parking-survey