Weymouth | Posted on January 30th, 2025 | return to news
Parking permit push by Dorset Council
If the full council approves, changes will be made to evening car parking charges in council-owned car parks.

Dorset Council is proposing a change to its evening car parking charges and is urging people to buy parking permits.
Following feedback, the suggested time restrictions for evening parking (6pm to 10pm) will be removed and replaced with a blanket flat rate of £2.50 to park for any amount of time between 6pm and 8am in any Dorset Council car parks. The new arrangements, subject to public consultation, would be introduced this summer.
To help residents who may use these car parks overnight in the absence of on-street parking close to their home, it has been proposed that a new permit is introduced that will allow holders to park from 5pm to 9am daily for around £50 a year. This is to be confirmed.
Overnight parking would also be included with the council’s existing Short Stay and Flexi Stay permits, allowing holders to park overnight free of charge.
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 planned to increase across the county from 1 April pending full council approval. A review of parking is set to take place in the next 12 months.
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 eight plus 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.”
Please share post:
LATEST NEWS:
CHARITY OF THE YEAR 2025

Subscribe to the online magazine news letter