Car parking charges are to be halved at three car parks across Dorset as part of a new trial.

The reduction in prices will see prices revert back to the winter rates for a trial period running from July 1 until October 31.

This news comes following a pledge from the Liberal Democrats to look into car parking fees after it gained control of the council at the local elections in May.

The car parks are located in the main coastal towns in the county and include the Swannery car park in Weymouth, West Bay Road in West Bay, and Charmouth Road in Lyme Regis.

Currently, the tariffs in these car parks are:

  •  Up to 30 minutes: £1.50
  •  Up to 1 hour: £3
  •  Up to 2 hours: £4.50
  •  Up to 3 hours: £6
  •  Up to 4 hours: £7.50
  •  Up to 10 hours: £15

The new rates starting from July 1 will be:

  •  Up to 30 minutes: £0.80
  •  Up to 1 hour: £1.50
  •  Up to 2 hours: £2.30
  •  Up to 3 hours: £3.30
  •  Up to 4 hours: £5.30
  •  Up to 10 hours: £9

At the end of the trial, the charges will remain the same but revert to the usual off-peak rate in line with the seasonal tariff change in other Dorset Council car parks.

A spokesperson for Dorset Council said: "The basis for the trial is for the council to understand the impact through numbers using the car parks, impact on the highway network, and the financial impact on the council’s budget.

"All other Dorset Council car park charges are not affected by this trial.

"A survey will also be taking place to help gather data on use of the car parks during the trial and the impact on the local economy. 

"It will be available at the included car parks from mid-July."