Wimborne residents parking permits to go from £80 to £260

Joy Rawlin has lived paid for a permit for the Old Road car park for many years as her property in Julian's Road has no off-street parking.

When the retired social worker first started using the site it was £50 for the year and this has steadily increased up to the most recent fee of £80, which she paid for her current permit.

However, when it comes to the next renewal, Ms Rawlin and other Julian's Road residents will be expected to pay £260 for a parking permit to use the car park.

She told the Daily Echo there was a feeling of "shock and horror" when she found out about the increase.

"It tended to go up a little bit each year but for residents who have no other option it is absolutely appalling," said Ms Rawlin.

"I have been thinking about knocking my front wall down to park there but there is not enough depth outside the house. I will just have to hope there is space in the road."

She added: "Just because I live in Wimborne I am not well off. It is going to hit me really badly."

Dorset Council has been in the process of overhauling its car parking charges and permits for some time.

Two parking permit types were set out by Cllr Ray Brian, portfolio holder for highways, travel and environment, at a meeting in November.

He said a ‘pop and shop’ permit, costing £78 for the year, will allow up to two hours a day in short stay parking areas while a ‘live, work and play’ permit will allow limited access to short-stay parking and full access to long-stay parking for £260 a year.

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At the time he promised Wimborne councillor Shane Bartlett further talks to see if something can be done to avoid a parking permit increase for the town's residents from £80 to £260 a year.

Cllr Bartlett said the rise was unfair with very little parking available for residents in the town.

Ms Rawlin added: "I can't see what the reason is for increasing the permits. I was told people in other parts of Dorset pay £700 already but all the residents along here have used that car park for many years."

She added: "The council is saying you will be able to park anywhere in Dorset but that still doesn't make it any more reasonable or affordable."

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In a statement, Cllr Bryan said:“Our parking transformation project is ensuring a consistent approach to parking charges across the council area.

“As part of this work, we have consulted on replacing the 76 existing permits with two new permits, which will still offer discounted parking for residents, businesses and commuters.

“We plan to offer a short stay permit for people wishing to shop locally or for leisure purposes, along with a flexi-stay permit to offer both short stay and all day parking for residents who may also want to use their permit to park for work.

“These both offer value for money however you wish to use our car parks, with the added benefit of the permits being valid across the council area.”