Council lifts on-street parking prices in Dorchester

Last November West Dorset District Council introduced a scheme to offer free parking overnight and on Sundays in its off-street car parks.

Now Dorset County Council, which manages on-street parking in the county town, has introduced a similar scheme in Acland Road, High East Street, High West Street and Trinity Street.

The changes mean metered parking charges will only apply from 8am to 6pm and from Monday to Saturday.

The parking meters were introduced in July 2009 and have proved unpopular with a number of businesses.

However, traders have welcomed the news that the charges will no longer apply after 6pm and on Sundays.

Project director of the Dorchester BID Phil Gordon said: “This is something that we have been working towards for a long time.

“The car parks run by West Dorset District Council moved into this new thinking back in November last year but we are really pleased Dorset County Council has joined the initiative now and I think it’s fantastic news for the evening economy.”

Russell Brown, who runs the Michelin-starred Sienna restaurant in High West Street with his wife Elena, said: “The parking situation in town is never particularly easy so anything that can be done to make it better is more than welcome.”

Manager at the family-run Spice Centre Indian restaurant in High West Street Abu Baker said the free parking scheme would be welcomed by diners and people coming to pick up takeaways.

He said: “It’s an excellent idea, people are finding it difficult to park and they are having to put money in the meters just to come and collect their takeaway.”

A Dorset County Council spokesman confirmed that the public notice about the new parking scheme had been published and the changes will be introduced from June 10.

He added that overnight and Sunday charging will continue in all other roads where pay and display parking is shared with resident permit holders.