Some Dorset Council car parks will soon cost £10 a day as prices go up this month - and it will no longer be free to use council car parks on Sundays.

Overall many people, including visitors to the county, are likely to find themselves paying more when the new tier-based tariff system comes into force from the end of March.

Among the most hotly-contested changes is a 200 per cent increase to the all-day parking charge in Lyme Regis and West Bay, which will rise from £2 to £8.

Meanwhile, five car parks that are currently free will see charges introduced.

New tier-based system for council car parks in Dorset

Tourist car parks will be charged at the highest rate of £10 for ten hours in the high season, £6 maximum in the low season and will cover Weymouth’s car parks nearest the beaches, Corfe Castle, Lyme Regis, some Portland car parks, Lyme Regis and West Bay.

Dorset Echo: Visitors enjoy a coastal stroll at West BayVisitors enjoy a coastal stroll at West Bay

The next tier down will be charged at a maximum of £6 for 10 hours, £3.50 for four hours. These include Dorchester, Blandford, Bridport, Shaftesbury, Sherborne, Wareham, Weymouth (non-beach) and Wimborne.

The lowest tier, for Beaminster, Charmouth, Ferndown, Gillingham, Sturminster Newton, Verwood and West Bexington will also be seasonal, up to a maximum of £10 for Charmouth and West Bexington for ten hours, or £4 offseason.

Hourly charges at these car parks will be £1 for two hours in the low season and £3 for two hours in the high season.

Financial challenges

The council says it is in a "challenging" financial position and is trying to generate income whilst also ensuring visitors are not put off by parking charges.

The chief highways councillor has described it as "a delicate balance." Dorset Council's Cabinet approved the new, more consistent charging structure and pricing on November 8 2021.

Councillor Ray Bryan, portfolio holder for Highways, Travel and Environment, said: “It became apparent at an early stage of our car parks review that charges had not been reviewed for several years and changes needed to be made for a more consistent approach.

“As a council in a challenging financial position, we are trying to achieve a delicate balance of maximising income from our car parks while ensuring residents and visitors will still choose to support our high streets, beaches and attractions.”

Dorset Echo: Visitors to Weymouth Beach will now have to pay £10 a day to parkVisitors to Weymouth Beach will now have to pay £10 a day to park

The council said it is trying to generate valuable footfall for town centres by laying on six free parking days each year. These include Small Business Saturday in December; one weekday in December, and four days for events, decided by town and parish councils.

It comes after readers of the Dorset Echo expressed surprise when on-street parking charges were increased at the beginning of March.

We ran a reader poll that indicated 88 per cent of readers were unaware. 

This time around the council has clearly advertised the forthcoming changes on its website where residents can also read more about the decision making process.

How much Dorset car parks cost from April 2022

Level 1 (cheapest)

Beaminster, Charmouth, Ferndown, Gillingham, Sturminster Newton, Verwood and West Bexington

Level 2

Blandford, Bridport, Dorchester, Shaftesbury, Sherborne, Wareham, Weymouth (shops) and Wimborne

Level 3 (most expensive)

Corfe Castle, Lyme Regis, Portland, West Bay and Weymouth (beach)

 

Dorset Echo: Portland car parks will be in the most expensive tariffPortland car parks will be in the most expensive tariff

Car park charging levels

Charging level     30 minutes 1 hour 2 hours 3 hours 4 hours 10 hours

Level 1 - low season   50p                70p         £1          £1.50     £2.50       £4

Level 1- high season*  £1                 £2           £3          £4         £5           £10

Level 2                       50p                £1          £1.50      £2.20    £3.50       £6

Level 3 - low season    50p               £1           £1.50      £2.20     £3.50       £6

Level 3 - high season  £1                   £2          £3           £4         £5           £10

*Level 1 high season applies to Charmouth and West Bexington only.

High season charges apply April 1 to October 31

Car parks in Level 3 locations will be the first to have signage, machines and mobile payment information updated, followed by Level 2 location car parks and finally car parks in Level 1 locations.

Changes to free car parks

Charges are being brought in for five Dorset Council car parks which are currently free.

Dorset Echo: It will no longer be free to park at Stour Meadows Car park, BlandfordIt will no longer be free to park at Stour Meadows Car park, Blandford

These will have the tiered charging structure for their area and will be available as part of the residents’ car park permit scheme:

  • Stour Meadows, Blandford – short stay and flexi-stay permits accepted
  • The Hub, Verwood – short stay and flexi-stay permits accepted
  • Jenner Close, Verwood – short stay and flexi-stay permits accepted
  • Potters Wheel, Verwood – short stay and flexi-stay permits accepted

New permits for residents

As part of the parking transformation project, two new permits are being introduced to replace the 76 existing old district/borough permits.

Short Stay Car Park Permit

The short stay car park permit includes:

  • parking for two hours every day in the majority of Dorset Council short stay car parks
  • two vehicles registered per permit (but can only be used on one vehicle at a time)

Cost and duration

The short stay car park permit is:

  • £78 for 12 months
  • Permit holders can buy extra parking from the machine or by phone/app if they need longer than a two-hour session.

Flexi Stay Car Park Permit

The flexi stay car park permit includes:

  • unlimited parking in the majority of Dorset Council long stay car parks
  • free parking for two hours every day in the majority of Dorset Council short stay car parks

Cost and duration

The flexi stay car park permit:

  • can be purchased monthly or for 12 months
  • costs £25 a month or £260 for 12 months
  • can have one vehicle registered per permit

These permits will be available from the end of March 2022. At that time, Dorset Council's website will be updated with how to apply for or renew a parking permit.


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How much did it cost before?

  • Level one: 50p for 30 minutes up to a maximum of £4 a day

Level two: 50p for 30 minutes up to a maximum £6 a day

Level three: £1 for 30 minutes up to maximum of £10 a day during peak times (April 1 - October 31)