BUSINESSES in Dorchester have raised concerns over the loss of car parking spaces as a result of work starting on West Dorset District Council’s new offices.

With work due to begin on June 6 at the Charles Street site, the southern half of the existing car park containing 226 spaces is due to close.

The authority claims it will compensate for the loss of parking at Charles Street by converting 154 long-stay spaces at nearby Wolleaston Field to short-stay.

It also claims that, on all days apart from Wednesdays, there are at least a further 72 spaces vacant at the Fairfield car park at Dorchester Market.

However, several councillors raised fears on the impact of losing so many spaces at a meeting of the council’s executive committee.

They claimed some shop workers who rely on the long stay spaces would not be able use the council’s proposes alternatives at park and ride sites due to their working hours and the disruption caused to the town could hit traders at an already difficult time.

Owner of the Horse with the Red Umbrella café in High East Street John Fiori said he was against the council’s relocation to new offices and feared the loss of car parking could have a major impact.

He said: “I don’t agree with the policy of building the new offices and we have got so many problems already with car parking.

“I thought the council was here to help us but they seem to be hindering us.

“They should be putting more car parking in, not taking it away.”

Managing director of Langley Travel in the Hardye Arcade Jack Crankshaw said he was in favour of the Charles Street development, but he still had concerns over the impact on trade of closing the car park.

He said: “Whilst you can’t stop progress it is going to put a squeeze on.”

At the meeting councillor Alistair Chisholm said: “People will know there are already a number of businesses that are already struggling at the moment and the slightest increased difficulty to parking in the town centre could lead to a loss of business.”

Loss defended

DISTRICT council Leader Robert Gould defended the loss of car parking on the Charles Street site and insisted that measures had been taken to minimise any disruption.

He said: “We do understand that there may be some concern about disruption during work but we are putting arrangements in place to minimise this.

“I would like assure people that we are committed to making sure it is business for usual for Dorchester and free parking on weekends and evenings will continue.

“We have already frozen short-stay parking charges for the sixth year running as part of our parking strategy, which aims to encourage people to visit the town.

“The long-term benefits will outweigh any inconvenience.”