Opening times changed at Eype Beach car park, Dorset

As reported by the News, visitors to Eype Beach unaware of new restrictions have been receiving hefty fines after the car park operation was taken over by Euro Car Parks.

Additionally, there is no parking allowed in the car park outside of the designated hours, which in the summer is between 8am and 9pm and during the winter is between 8am and 6pm.

In what appears to be a response to public pressure, co-owner of the car park George Wingfield-Digby said the opening times had been changed.

He did not comment on whether evening times would change in the future.

In a brief statement he said: "We have brought forward the opening times by two hours to 6am in the summer and 7am in the winter from November 1 - March 31.

Meanwhile, anglers fear that they are ‘slowly losing places to fish’ now that they can no longer use the car park.

The new restrictions have caused major upset within the fishing community, with one person describing the best fishing times as ‘first light’ or ‘when it starts to get dark’ - times when the car park is closed.

Members of the West Bay Sea Angling Club, who have been fishing at Eype since the group came together in 1952, say they now have to fish elsewhere due to these changes.

Richard Daw, Vice President of West Bay Sea Angling Club said: “It impacts our members. During our fishing matches, the latest we ever finish is 11pm.”

Richard Daw (Image: Richard Daw)

The club do fish all over west Dorset, but due to the car park changes at Eype, members have been spending a lot more time at West Bexington beach.

Mr Daw explained that the club doesn’t fish overnight, but rather for a few hours as the ‘best fishing is at night.’

He described the parking situation as 'a shame' and in the past has ‘always put money in the honesty box,’ adding: “They don’t realise who it impacts – it’s the local people who have been using it for years, it seems as if we are losing places to fish slowly.

“The other option is to walk from West Bay which is dangerous and closed off because of cliff falls.

“Fishing is good for your mental health and during covid, fishing was one of the sports that could continue.”

Martin Bridges, a local fisherman who lives near Beaminster, has also used the car park ‘for many years,’ when fishing at the beach.

Martin Bridges (Image: Martin Bridges)

He said: “I like to go at first light or when it starts to get dark which is always the best fishing, but I can’t do that anymore.”

Both fishermen agreed that ‘the problem with Eype is that there isn’t any alternative parking,’ with Mr Bridges adding: “It’s a difficult place to park and they have made it even more difficult by imposing more restrictions.”

The angler would often head out at 5am to go fishing and would be home by 7.30am ‘just in time for breakfast.’

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Since the changes Mr Bridges has not returned to Eype as he doesn’t want to risk a fine, although like the angling club, he has also visited West Bexington.

He said: “I don’t think that it is fair for the restriction to be imposed. Who are they to say we can and can’t go there.”

Euro Car Parks was contacted for comment.

In response to the article, co-owner of the car park, George Wingfield-Digby has since told the News: "We have brought forward the opening times by two hours to 6am in the summer and 7am in the winter from November 1 - March 31.