Bridport resident hits out at 'shabby' East Street car park

The complaint comes amid general concern about a rise in charges at Dorset Council-owned car parks, particularly at the coast where prices have skyrocketed.

Dorset Council has confirmed the site is due a full inspection and said any safety-related defects found will be repaired.

A local resident, who owns a permit for the East Street car park, said: “I go there every week.

“There's three deep holes with loose rubble, lines for parking bays don't exist, causing problems with parking.

“The signage on the road is also worn away and considering we’re being charged for this it's looking worse every time I park, once a week.

Markings have worn away

“The rain has been appalling recently which has caused a lot of problems and the lines for people to get in between are not fulfilling their duty as you can’t see them.

“I got out of my car the other day a bit too close to a pothole and didn’t realise it was quite a big puddle. I think it’s pretty shabby for Bridport - quite a lot of people are upset.”

Dorset Council has confirmed that East Street car park is due a full inspection and ‘any safety-related defects found will be repaired.’

East Street car park  

A spokesperson for Dorset Council said: “We regularly inspect car park surfaces, and our patrolling officers report any defects they discover.

“However, the weather we have experienced in the last few weeks has increased the deterioration of the surface.

Parking spaces at East Street car park with faded markings

“The council prioritises any income spent in areas that will make the biggest difference to all residents.

"A percentage of the money raised through parking charges is spent on car park maintenance, as well as on projects to ensure that Dorset’s highways are kept in a safe condition.”

Although many residents agree that more needs to be done around Bridport, local resident Barry Bates said that the blame should not fall on local councils which have seen ‘successive funding cuts.’

He said: “It is important that when people complain about the rises in car parking charges, they place the blame where it should lie.

“We have seen successive cuts to local services but still some authorities are facing bankruptcy. Local authorities are having to seek additional sources of income and car parking is seen as one of these.

“Sadly, it is the local traders who are paying the price by loss of revenue from visitors.

“The work of local authorities underpins the quality of life in local communities. We can all see the impact of the cuts –for example the increase of potholes on our roads, crumbling school buildings and the desperate shortage of social care for the old and vulnerable.

“We can all see on a daily basis that much of the infrastructure is broken and needs to be rebuilt. I would ask people to reflect on where to place the blame for increased car parking charges.”

Any issues spotted in the car parks can be reported by the public via the Dorset Council website, emailing customerservices@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk, or calling 01305 221000.