Car park charges cut in busy tourist hotspots

Charges will be reduced at The Swannery from 1 July

Car park charges in some of Dorset's tourist hotspots are to be reduced from July.

Increases were imposed early last year, leading to charges of up to £15 a day in some locations.

The changes prompted more than 7,000 people to sign a petition, claiming the higher fees were undermining the local economy in Weymouth.

The price will be reduced from 1 July at three locations - Swannery car park in Weymouth, West Bay Road car park, West Bay, and Charmouth Road car park, Lyme Regis.

Dorset Council said it had cut prices at its busiest car parks close to the resorts and beaches but a full review was needed before it could implement cuts at more locations.

Currently, motorists wanting to stay between one and two hours at The Swannery near Weymouth station must pay £4.50. After 1 July, this will be reduced to £2.30.

Those wishing to stay all day will pay £9 instead of £15.

Quieter car parks such as Overcombe, at the Preston end of Weymouth beach, will continue charging the higher rate.

Quieter car parks will continue to charge the higher rate

Campaigner Nigel Sims-Duff, who owns a cafe near The Swannery, said: "It's a victory for people power.

"While it's a start, we are hoping the trial will be successful and we will see a fairer system of parking charges across the county.

"Our turnover was down about 20% in the two years we've had these high prices.

"In Weymouth, there are still three or four high-price car parks so users might avoid those car parks and use Swannery but if we attract people, obviously the revenue will increase overall for the council."