THE people of Weymouth and Portland are to be given their say on the resort's car park charges.

Council chiefs will ask residents for their views before deciding whether to bump up the prices.

Borough car park charges are among the highest in the region but an annual review of council fees and charges proposes that most town centre car park prices should stay the same.

In a year for the council that has been shadowed by a budget black hole and seen the borough take over parking enforcement, councillors will have to consider proposals carefully.

Members of Weymouth and Portland Borough Council's management committee will study the proposals before they go out to public consultation for three weeks from October 13.

The full council will make the final decision in December.

The draft proposals also include the continuation of the reduced winter parking charges, which are seen as a simple and effective way of giving residents a discount.

Abolition

In addition, members are recommended to support further relaxations of the period for the overnight ticket and residents' permits from 8am to 9.30am to allow both residents and visitors time to have their breakfast before they move their car.

Other proposals for consideration include bringing the charges for the Swannery car park in line with those for the Pavilion car park and the abolition of the bus fare for the park and ride service.

Borough council transport spokesman Councillor Les Ames said although he thought the car park charges were high, most people accepted they had to pay extra in a resort.

Coun Ames added: "The subject of car parking has always been a difficult issue and these proposals have to be looked at carefully.

"People have to accept now that if they own a car they have to pay for it. We have to think very carefully over the next few years what we are going to do in respect of the car in Weymouth and Portland because very soon I fear the town will be so full up we won't be able to move."

Coun Ames said he thought the Lodmoor park and ride scheme was going exceptionally well but he said a secure car park area was needed in town to allow the scheme to operate at night.