Park and ride expansion planned for coastal town

The current park and ride site has one entrance and no facilities

A park and ride scheme is set to be upgraded in an attempt to curb congestion in a Dorset seaside town.

If approved, the facility outside Lyme Regis would include a better entry and exit system, toilets, information point and cafe.

It would also offer electric vehicle charging points.

The town council said there was "simply insufficient" parking spaces within the resort to cope with visitors during the peak tourism season.

The current privately-owned site on the Charmouth Road site, about two miles east of the Jurassic Coast town, has only one entrance and no other facilities.

Out of season, the field continues to be used for sheep grazing.

It is leased to Lyme Regis Town Council as a park and ride during the school holiday period, with motorists currently offered free parking before paying a fare on the bus into the town.

The new layout will mean buses will no longer have to carry out turns within the car park area.

Plans include a cafe, outdoor seating and electric vehicle charging points

The current capacity of 400 parking spaces would not increase, although electric vehicle charging points would be added.

The town council's planning submission said large numbers of cars looking for parking spaces within the town was "contributing towards air pollution and driver frustration".

"The number of parking spaces within Lyme Regis is strictly limited and it is clear that due to high visitor numbers, on busy days they are unable to park within the confines of the town centre area, so probably leave the town and go elsewhere,” it added.

The planning application is open to public consultation until 19 October.