NEW parking charges could be introduced at seafronts in Bournemouth and Poole.
Areas that could see these charges introduced include Canford Cliffs, Branksome Chine and Westcliff, as well as Boscombe and Southbourne.
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council (BCP) said the plans, if introduced, would mean it would generate income to support parking enforcement officers and tow vehicles to combat illegal or inconsiderate parking.
The council said the BCP seafronts face “significant problems” with people parking cars on pavements, across driveways, and on double yellow lines during summer.
The BCP parking teams are said to have “limited” powers when it comes to dealing with the issues due to a lack of parking restrictions in some areas as well and budget constraints.
The plans have two options: extending the new scheme 0.3 miles (0.5km) or 0.6 miles (1km) back from the seafront.
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Councillor Richard Herrett, portfolio holder for destination, leisure and commercial operations at BCP Council, said the area welcomes more than 10 million visitors annually.
“We know at busy times we have a significant issue with illegal or inconsiderate parking on seafront roads,” he said.
“This significantly impacts road safety in these areas and can affect the quality of life for local residents and businesses.
The two options for Poole Picture: BCP Council
“These proposals to extend seafront paid-for parking could generate revenue for additional parking enforcement and give us the ability to better enforce illegal parking across a wider area.
“These are draft proposals only – we promised to give local people more say over the decisions that affect communities, so we want to hear from you before any decision is made.”
There would be a proposed lower tariff during the low season (November 1 to March 14), with a higher tariff for the high season (March 15 to October 31).
BCP residents who live on affected streets would be able to purchase an annual residents’ parking permit if the plans are approved.
A public consultation about the plans began yesterday (June 24) and will close at 11.59pm on August 1.
Visit haveyoursay.bcpcouncil.gov.uk/seafront-parking-2025 to view the consultation.
Paper copies of the engagement documents can be requested at any BCP library.
There are not enough car parks to accommodate tourists if you force people from parking in the road where do you suggest they park?
re- introduce park and ride for Bournemouth the same as salisbury ???
re- introduce park and ride for Bournemouth the same as Salisbury ???
So you want motorists to pay for more parking wardens and recovery trucks so you can ring more money out of daytrippers and local folk, another cash grab we pay enough for parking as it is,and no real subsidy for local rate payers Bcp greed culture NICE
Locals will have to to pay to park outside their own house. This scheme will only push parking inland. Busy days are so infrequent. Not fair on local residents
Total overkill. A sledgehammer to crack a nut.
There are typically less than FIVE days each year when a hot spell falls on a weekend or bank holiday causing a huge flow of tourists into Bournemouth. For most of the year parking is OK for the beaches.
BCP councill cannot be allowed to introduce paid-for street parking to penalise residents and visitors when there is no need for it.
It is just a money grabbing exercise dressed up a as service to residents.
The fines for illegal parking need to be increased to allow for 15 years inflation.
For Port Arlington Road and Malborough Road in Westbourne – the paking time limit of 2 hours needs to be increased to 5 hours thus providing 200 additional “overflow” parking places for Branksome and Alum Chine beaches – as used to be the case until 2015.
what do you want to go to Bmth anyway..the towns got nothing but restaurants..anything to enjoy has been deleted..swimming pool, theatres etc. the towns full of empty shops and its generally down. Bmth council have always been useless. Parking fees have always been a con to the public..