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The summer carpark charges from Dorset Council on their car parks in Weymouth are unfair, unreasonable and unjustifiable. Local residents and visitors have to pay 3 times those of other towns in the County. Two hours parking in Dorchester, Blandford, Bridport and Wimborne costs £1.50. In Weymouth, this price is £4.50! For example, a busy mum wanting to nip to the shops and maybe have a coffee with a friend, she would have to pay £6 for 3 hrs in Weymouth but only £2.20 in Dorchester! How is that fair?
 
Carpark charges are a small tax that we all pay for the right to park for a short time in our towns. It should be fair and equal and not discriminate against one sector or group over another. But this is exactly what Dorset Council have done, penalising Weymouth residents and visitors against those living in or visiting other Dorset towns. Weymouth is subsidising the cheaper parking elsewhere in the county and is disproportionately paying more into the Council’s coffers than other towns. 

This high tax on the right to park in Weymouth is directly affecting people’s leisure time and discretionary spending. It is harming Weymouth businesses in retail, hospitality and amusements.  To save money, people will not stay more than an hour or two, and with less disposal money to buy a coffee or a lunch or simply enjoy the town.

The fact Weymouth is a seaside town and visitor attraction is totally irrelevant as holidaymakers should not be ripped off anymore than Weymouth residents. Maybe cheaper parking will encourage more visitors and for those to stay longer.

This petition is not about the public transport, Park and Ride, street parking, supermarket parking, cycling, walking or any other form of transport. It is about the right to park your car in Weymouth and not pay 3 times the rate of other towns. 

This petition requests Dorset Council to reduce the carpark charges in Weymouth to those of other towns with immediate effect.