Brand new parking machines will be rolled out in West Dorset District Council-run car parks this winter.
The installation of the new pay and display machines will start in Dorchester from 2 December.
Replacement machines will then be installed in Sherborne, Bridport, Beaminster and West Bay throughout December 2014 and January 2015.
New machines will be installed in Lyme Regis and Charmouth when the Lyme Regis Phase 4 coastal protection works have been completed.
Leader of West Dorset District Council Robert Gould said: “We are making a major financial investment to improve parking in West Dorset as we know how important it is for residents, visitors and the local economy to have well maintained car parks.
“Our first project is to replace old unreliable machines with brand new machines and these will be installed in phases across the district.
“Machines will only take coins initially but will then be upgraded to take card and contactless payments as soon as security protocols are finalised.”
Metric who are the machine manufacturers will be carrying out the installation works on behalf of the district council and will try to keep disruption to a minimum.
The district council is asking people using its car parks to be patient while these essential works take place.
