North Quay car park in Weymouth to be completed this month

But locals say they are hoping for a more substantial use of the 'prime area' of North Quay - the site of the former Weymouth & Portland Borough Council offices.

Work started at the end of last year to knock down the 1970s office block overlooking the inner harbour with the main parts of the structure cleared by early February.

Dorset Council's plan is to clear the site and turn it into a temporary car park before long-term decisions are made on the land's use.

Clearance work is expected to finish later this month, and will be made available for public use shortly thereafter.

Read more: North Quay council offices finally demolished

People in Weymouth are welcoming of the extra parking space, but some feel it lacks 'imagination'.

David Hansford, owner of Vintage Weymouth antiques shop right next to the site, said: "It is a long time coming. It will be better when it does open because there is nowhere to park now. We have been quiet for months because of the lack of parking.

"They seem to be spending a lot of time to prop up a car park for it to be temporary. It is a prime area right on the harbourside. It is good for us (as a business) but to make that prime space a car park shows a lack of imagination."

Helen Jones from Weymouth said: "I would have preferred flats and cafes. A car park is just nothing. It will probably be busy, but I will not use it. I won't pay for car parking, the charges are way too high."

Chrissy Barber from Weymouth said: "Car parking is always useful in Weymouth. Quite happy to have another one. I think we need them."

Ben Stewart lives in the area near Brewers Quay where Portland Port has been dropping off cruise ship passengers for a day in town - much to the chagrin of the locals like himself.

He thinks the new car park at North Quay may prove to be a better alternative for cruise ship shuttle buses.

He said: "It was a nightmare. They dropped off 5,000 people and the whole road was gridlocked. It is great for the harbour but a nightmare for residents.

"If there is a better location on this side of the harbour that would be great. I think the North Quay site is ideal. It keeps the footfall on this side of the harbour and alleviates the issue from residents."

The land at North Quay was earmarked for a share of £19.5 million that Dorset Council received as part of the government's Levelling Up Fund to help redevelop areas of Weymouth.

A spokesperson for Dorset Council said: "The works at North Quay continue to proceed well, and the temporary car park is expected to be completed later this month.

"When we have a confirmed date for when the public can access the parking facilities, we will let everyone know."