Opinion is split between Bridport councillors over Dorset Council's car parking proposals.

The plans to charge until 8pm and on Sundays and double day tickets to £4 in some West Bay car parks in the new year were discussed at Bridport Town Council's planning meeting on Monday.

Cllr Barry Irvine said: "I think this has come at the worst possible time. We're trying to get cafes, restaurants, pubs up and running again and now suddenly they are going to hit them by saying now people will have to pay between 6pm and 8pm, the very time when people are going out to meals.

"I think it is very bad timing."

However, Cllr Julian Jones welcomed the changes.

"I know people will complain," he said, "but actually I think this is a step in the right direction, not far enough, I would abolish all free parking.

"We've got a climate action plan, we're committed to changing the way people travel into town, supporting buses, cycling and walking and part of that is to alter the balance between the different modes of transport and giving highly subsidised parking to people is simply tipping the balance into often unnecessary car use.

"It's really important to embody the real cost of this provision into car parking charges. These are very valuable sites and there's a lot of public money that goes into running the whole car parking system and also, Dorset Council needs revenue desperately at the moment, so I am fully in favour of the increases and I wish they had gone further."

Cllr Kelvin Clayton agreed with Cllr Jones, although "not quite as strongly", but did not agree with the way it was handled by Dorset Council.

He said: "In all honesty, I find it very hard to object to this. I do object somewhat to the lack of consultation, atleast with councillors beforehand, I thought that was incredibly badly handled and for such an argument to erupt and we know nothing about it whatsoever – I thought it was terrible."

Cllr Sarah Williams said she would have a discussion with Cllr Jones about "the error of his ways" and suggested that councillors be aware that although the council is looking at equalising charges across the area, coastal areas are likely to pay more.

Responding to Cllr Jones, Cllr Dave Rickard said: "You can't have a no cars policy until you've got a provide buses, cycle lanes and pedestrianised shopping areas policy.

"To do it as a cash cow with no intention of bringing buses back into Dorset is cynical in the extreme.

"Theoretically you [Cllr Jones] are absolutely right, but in practice it's a nonsense and there will be a lot of people who will suffer as a result of it."

See also:

Dorset Council gives clarity on changes to its car parks - but there are no plans to reconsider the decision