Dorset Council suspends charges in their car parks to support key workers and residents
Dorset Council has taken the decision to suspend parking charges in its car parks across the county during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Following calls from the general public and Dorset’s elected members, the Council will no longer require payment for the use of any of its car parks that remain open at this time while public health measures are in place.
However, on-street parking charges and restrictions will remain in place in order to keep roads clear and traffic moving.
The decision to suspend off-street car park charges will help residents to park for free while residential roads are full of vehicles during the current “lockdown”. The aim is to get people not parking in the side roads whilst they are staying indoors, so they can move their cars from the road to the car parks.
By encouraging the movement of the cars from the street to these car parks they can provide better access for NHS workers, social carers and volunteers supporting the vulnerable in their communities. It will improve access for emergency and bin collection vehicles and provide options for residents who need to travel to buy essential food and groceries.
Beach car parks and those at other tourist spots that have already been closed will remain shut until further notice. Dorset Council will continue to ask people not to drive to these places and/or congregate in groups in order to comply with public health guidance and not spread the virus.
