CYCLE parking facilities in Weymouth could be relocated - after council bosses revealed the current shelters had been set alight and broken into by vandals.

Dorset Council is proposing the lockable cycle shelter on Westham Bridge is removed and replaced by more manageable and better located cycle parking facilities in the town centre.

Residents are being asked for their opinions on where they think alternative locations would be useful in the town.

The existing shelter, which was built in 2013, has been set fire to, broken into and damaged by vandals climbing on it. Maintenance and management costs have been high, while the shelter does not generate any means of paying for the repairs.

The location of the Westham Bridge shelter had also been deemed too inconvenient by cyclists, as it is too far from the town centre or the beach to provide visitor use - more than 30 metres - and it is too far from homes to provide a useful place to store overnight - a government recommended maximum of 100 metres.

The shelter, which is normally accessible to users with a fob, is currently locked and unusable after reports of anti-social behaviour inside it.

Dorset Council is asking residents to provide suggestions for locations in and around the town where they feel more spaces are needed.

Councillor Ray Bryan, Dorset Council portfolio holder for highways, travel and environment, said: "Cycling plays a key role in our aspirations to reduce traffic and the pollution it creates in Weymouth as part of our Climate and Ecological Emergency strategy and action plan.

"But we cannot expect people to leave their cars at home and hop on their bike if we don’t have the appropriate facilities in place to help them.

"The shelter on Westham Bridge has had its day. It’s costly, under-used, frequently vandalised – putting it out of use for everyone – and is too far away from the town centre to be of any benefit to most Weymouth residents.

"We want to make sure we’ve got everyone on board for our plans to remove it, but we also want to hear from local people about suggestions as to where alternative facilities could be placed in and around the town.

"Whether you’re a local cyclist or someone who is considering cycling more in the future, we’d love to hear from you regarding our plans and if you have any ideas about where in Weymouth such a cycle parking facility would be welcomed and well-used. Please take a couple of minutes to fill in the survey, thank you."

The survey is open until July 4. For more information and to participate, visit www.activetraveldorset.commonplace.is/proposals/cycle-parking-in-weymouth-the-future-of-westham-bike-shelter