Dorset Council to resurface four Weymouth car parks in £350k investment

Motorists in Weymouth and Portland will see improvement works begin next week as Dorset Council launches a programme of essential resurfacing across priority car parks — with four sites in Weymouth included.

The council is investing £350,000 in capital funding to repair car parks identified as being beyond routine maintenance, following deterioration worsened by recent wet weather.

Weymouth sites included

The following Weymouth car parks will undergo resurfacing:
• Park Street
• Governors Lane
• Beach Car Park (Preston Road)
• Overcombe

Both surfaced and unsurfaced areas are included in the programme.

Work is due to begin from 23 February, with completion expected by the end of March. Notices will be displayed on site, and disruption will be kept to a minimum where possible.

Wider parking bays for modern vehicles

At surfaced sites — including Park Street and Governors Lane — parking bay widths will increase from 2.4 metres to 2.6 metres, in line with updated recommended standards.

The change is designed to better accommodate modern, wider vehicles and will be achieved with minimal loss of parking spaces.

Acting before problems escalate

Cabinet Member for Place Services, Cllr Jon Andrews, said several car parks across the county had reached a stage where more extensive resurfacing was needed to prevent safety risks and avoid emergency closures.

He said recent wet weather had accelerated wear and tear, making proactive repairs essential.

By carrying out the work during a quieter period, the council says it aims to reduce disruption while ensuring longer-term durability and better value for money.

What it means for residents

For Weymouth drivers, the investment should mean:
• Safer, smoother surfaces
• Fewer potholes and trip hazards
• Reduced likelihood of unplanned closures
• Parking bays better suited to today’s vehicles

The council has acknowledged that other car parks also require attention and says options for further improvements will be explored in the future.