Parking will remain free in Verwood at all of the town’s Council-owned car parks, VerwoodToday can exclusively reveal.

Dorset Council previously announced car parking charges would start two years ago in March 2022, to streamline its strategy across the county.

Residents and visitors would have been charged to park whilst using local facilities, including the Surgery and town centre shops, with a proposed yearly permit costing £260 for 12 months unlimited use.

But Verwood Town Council has been working with Dorset Council ever since, arranging to keep parking free at Potters Wheel (Town Centre), Jenner Close (Verwood Surgery), Potterne Park, and The Hub.

A new deal to transfer the management of the car parks into local hands is in its final stages, and Dorset Council will keep the parking free in the meantime.

Councillor Simon Gibson at Verwood Town Council, who has been leading the move, told VerwoodToday.co.uk: “We are hugely grateful to Verwood Town Council for offering to take on the management of Potters Wheel car park.

“There is still a bit of work to be done but by working together we hope to be able to support local businesses and residents by maintaining free parking.”

A Dorset Council spokesperson added: “Dorset Council will be making no changes to car park charging this year.”

Separately, Dorset Council says it is not planning to increase car parking charges across the county this year, apart from the standard change in seasonal prices.