Dorset Council sets out overnight charges at car parks
A flat fee from 6.00pm to 8.00am could come in from the summer
Overnight parking charges are set to brought in by Dorset Council from the summer, after being agreed by the authority - but will be subject to a public consultation.
But there are some changes to what was initially proposed, with a flat fee of ÂŁ2.50 now being taken forward for all parking in council-run car parks between 6.00pm and 8.00am.
It had been suggested the fee would only apply to evenings.
A new permit, that applies for the overnight charges is also being planned, for people who use Dorset Council car parks as they don't have parking close to their home.
The car parks at the Swannery in Weymouth, West Bay Road in West Bay, and Charmouth Road in Lyme Regis will remain on winter rates all year round, as trialled last year.
All other hourly parking charges are also planned to increase across the county from 1st April as set out in Dorset Council’s budget.
Cllr Jon Andrews, Dorset Council’s Cabinet Member for Place Services, said:
“Nobody wants to see parking charges increase but, with demands on Dorset Council’s services increasing while government funding continues to dwindle, we need to deliver a balanced budget that protects the vital services we provide.
“The message is clear – if you live and/or work in Dorset and drive a car, a parking permit will save you money. I strongly urge all drivers to consider how often they need to park and how much they would typically pay per visit, then compare that cost to the price of an annual permit. From a few hours a week to 8+ hours daily, a permit will most likely be cheaper than paying on the day and is easy to sign up for and use too.
“The additional benefits – including the proposed overnight parking – should also have a positive impact on our local economy, with permit holders able to use our car parks more often for far less money, which can instead be spent with local businesses.”