PARKING policy from Dorset Council has again been criticised – this time from members of the ruling Conservative party.

It follows a claim by Liberal Democrat councillor David Taylor that the decision to once again charge for parking is ‘ridiculous’ at the current time.

He says local traders need every help they can get and to re-introduce fees now will not help businesses to survive.

Former councillor Gerald Duke has now echoed that plea and says that the Dorchester Conservative Association also opposes the decision to re-introduce fees in council car parks.

There has also been criticism that the ‘no cash’ rule at payment meters is discriminatory to those who do not have, or cannot use a smart phone and payment app’, although Weymouth on street parking bays are exempt from this and will continue to accept coins.

Mr Duke says that he disputes council leader Spencer Flower’s claim that there is ‘overwhelming support’ for the policy when the decision was never put to the vote by the full council.

“There cannot be overwhelming support for the issue when both Dorchester Conservative Association and the Lib Dems are pressing for the charging of the off street car parking to be held in abeyance until businesses can get back on their feet,” said Mr Duke in an email to the council leader.

He says that as a founding member and director of Dorchester Business Improvement district he found the council happy to help with free parking at Christmas to help traders and sees no reason why it should not continue to help local businesses at a time of desperate need. He has asked the council leader to re-consider.

“I would say, if your cabinet members had the mind to do so, this further concession could be readily justified. Had this decision been put to councillors, I have no doubt they would have come to a different decision that the charging of off road car parks is our towns could be delayed further.

Dorset Council says that it has an obligation to charge for services where it can and has re-introduced car parking charges, as the majority of other council have.

It says that cash will not be accepted at payment machines to protect its own staff although Weymouth council-run on street car parking bays will be an exception to this and will continue to take cash.

For key workers the council is allowing them to continue to use parking facilities without payment by displaying a relevant pass.

Car parks at visitor destinations including beaches and country parks across Dorset will stay closed, along with public toilets, as the council tries to deter visitors to the county’s tourism hot spots.

Cllr Ray Bryan, Dorset Council’s Portfolio Holder for Highways, Travel and Environment, said: “It’s important to reinstate these charges in our car parks now that travel restrictions have been slightly eased, so that we can ensure the maximum amount of people are able to use them to go about their essential journeys.

“It’s important that drivers ensure they have the correct means of paying for their ticket before setting off, so remember to take your phone. Use of ticket machine keypads and cash are obvious ways that COVID-19 could be spread, so we need to reduce or prevent their use wherever possible.”