Major upset over Euro Car Parks changes at Eype Beach

Unsuspecting visitors to Eype Beach have been receiving hefty fines after the car park operation was taken over by Euro Car Parks.

As well as new charges and the threat of fines, there is no parking allowed between 9pm and 8am - preventing drivers visiting the beauty spot at night.

Eype Beach has been described as a ‘locals’ beach by many and those using the car park never had to worry about parking rules and having to return within a certain time limit. Visitors used to pop money in an 'honesty box' at the site.

Now Euro Car Parks is in charge it has been heavily enforcing car parking rules with the use of automatic numberplate recognition cameras and issuing fines of up to £100 to those parking after 9pm and others who are running late.

(Image: Hollie Carr)

It's claimed there are not enough clear signs warning drivers of the new changes.

Mary Noon from Morcombelake recently visited the beach for a total of 19 minutes ‘looking for solace' following the death of her father-in-law which meant a long journey to see relatives.

In her distracted state, she hadn’t realised that Euro Car Parks had taken over and had only stopped off to have a break from her three-hour-long drive to find ‘peace and calm.’

Mary Noon (Image: Mary Noon)

She was issued with a £100 fine. 

She said: “I was in that mental state, and I wasn’t paying attention to any signs. There has always been an honesty box. Local people are most likely to be caught out by the new system. I was absolutely livid.

The honesty box (Image: Hollie Carr)

“It’s a pretty destination and it is the wrong environment for this type of system. There is also the concern that in avoiding the car parks, people will choose to park in the lanes.

“I won’t be going to Eype Beach anytime soon unless I walk.”

Mary suggested there should be some signs warning people about the new changes to the car park in the lane before the site.

Graham and Hazel Bennett were visiting Eype on holiday. The pair explained that they were originally going to park at the beach car park and walk down to West Bay, however upon hearing the news that people were being fined, they decided to park at West Bay and walk to Eype instead.

Eype Beach car park (Image: Hollie Carr)

Michael Evans, Pete Evans, Julie Parsons and Frankie Quinn were visiting the beach as part of a family get together.

The group were staying on Portland and just driving around the Dorset coast.

They explained that they were ‘probably only going to stop for ten minutes to take a rest and take in the views,’ but upon noticing the ANPR cameras, they made the decision to pay for an hour’s parking which is £1.70 and the shortest period of time you can purchase at the machine.

A spokesperson for the British Parking Association, a not-for-profit membership association representing the UK’s parking and mobility sector said: “The advice in all cases is to read the signage in the car park, it will set out the terms and conditions for parking there, costs, opening times, etc.”

Eype Beach car park (Image: Hollie Carr)

As stated by signage at the car park, there is ‘strictly no overnight parking,’ and the car park is open from 8am-9pm during the summer and 8am-6pm during the winter.

The News has made attempts to contact Euro Car Parks and the Eype Beach car park landowner.

The charges are as follows:

Up to one hour: £1.70

Up to two hours: £2.50

Up to three hours: £3.50

Up to four hours: £4.50

Up to thirteen hours: £6.50

Season tickets are also available.