Talks between Dorset Council and local communities on a review of parking charges have begun.

Proposals around a residents' permit for reduced parking charges and a 'three-level strategy' to differentiate between coast, rural and town are being discussed.

The council's parking transformation project has set up stakeholder groups to present initial findings from research and analysis to community representatives, and to gain local information on parking.

The nine stakeholder groups include residents, local business representatives and town and parish councillors.

The first phase of the parking transformation project comes into effect on April 1, when all day charging in West Bay and Lyme Regis will rise to £8 and Sunday charging will be introduced.

Councillor Ray Bryan, portfolio holder for highways, travel and environment, said: "When Dorset Council was formed, we inherited a number of different charging strategies. As a result, we currently have 76 different permits in circulation, with varying rules and prices that, when compared, are not fair. For instance, car park charges span from being free to £9 for all day parking.

"Our proposal will centre around a three-level strategy that differentiates between the diverse and unique areas that Dorset enjoys – rural, costal and town. Alongside this, we're also looking at a permit that is only available for Dorset Council residents, which will offer reduced parking charges in our car parks.

"We're discussing issues at a local level within these working groups to best understand local parking pressures. We want a pricing strategy that works for as many people as possible."

Final details are currently being put into the proposals, which will be presented to the working groups on April 6 and will be followed by a four-week period for stakeholders to comment on the plans.

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