A move to get residents to buy permits to save money on increased car parking prices in Weymouth has been slammed as a ‘smokescreen’.

Dorset Council has urged residents to consider the “cost benefits” of parking permits after the price of parking increased earlier this year.

But a critic of the higher parking prices has hit out at the advice issued to drivers to buy permits, claiming most people wouldn’t benefit from the offer.

Business owners and residents have spoken out about the price rises, calling them “excessive and unreasonable”, and want the authority to reconsider.

Whilst prices for parking in council car parks across the town saw an increase of 50%, the Short Stay and Flexi permits have had their prices frozen for 2023.

The Short Stay permit allows two hours of parking every day in most council car parks and costs £78 per year. The Flexi permits allow unlimited parking in the majority of council car parks, 7 days a week and cost £25 per month or £260 per year.

Nigel Sims-Duff is the owner of the Palm House Café, located next to two council car parks. He recently started a petition against the price rises which has received more than 3,000 signatures online and over 400 in person.

Mr Sims-Duff said that residents are being “punished” by the council over parking payments.

He said: “It is way too simplistic and ignores the practicalities of everyday life.

“It is great for people working in Weymouth.

“£78 for the short stay permit is a lot of money at this time.

"It is only two hours and people may want to stay longer if they are at the beach or stuck in a queue they have to rush back or pay the prices anyway.

"It is not the deal they think it is, it only works for a small minority of people. Why should everyone have to compromise and rush around, they are catching people in a trap and Weymouth residents are being punished by these restrictions.

"People in Dorchester, Blandford or Shaftesbury don’t have to make these kinds of decisions or fork out for a permit.

“And these prices last from April until October so even when the tourists are gone, it will be residents getting hit with high prices.

“It is just a smokescreen or a distraction and it is not appropriate for normal residents.”

A Dorset Council spokesperson said: “While the council has introduced seasonal increases at car parks in busy resort and seafront areas, prices for tickets in other nearby car parks have not increased.

“For example, in Weymouth, Governors Lane, Nothe car park and the former council offices car park at North Quay park charges remain unchanged.

Councillor Ray Bryan, Dorset Council’s Portfolio Holder for Highways, Travel and Environment, said: “With rising inflation over the past year, the cost of running and maintaining our car parks has increased significantly. We have strived to minimise the impact on residents and businesses, keeping tariffs in car parks outside busy seafront areas at last year’s prices.

“Furthermore, our money-saving permit costs have been frozen. In these challenging times, where the cost of living is on the rise, we urge anyone who regularly uses our car parks, even if it’s just once a week, to explore the suitability of a permit.”

Car park charges in most central Weymouth car parks were previously £1 for up to 30 mins, £2 for up to an hour, and £3 for up three hours during peak season.

After the increase, charges are now £1.50 for up to 30 mins, £3 for up to an hour, £4.50 for up to two hours and £6 for three hours.