Backlash over proposed clifftop parking charges as residents say plan ‘punishes locals’
BCP Council is proposing new seafront parking charges in Boscombe, Southbourne, West Cliff and Branksome Chine
People in Bournemouth are furious at plans to introduce parking charges along the Canford Cliffs, Branksome Chine and Boscombe clifftops.
BCP Council is to target all roads from 500m to a kilometre away from the seafront that currently have free parking.
The council says that during peak season, the seafront - one of the busiest commercial coastlines in the UK - faces widespread problems from illegal and inconsiderate parking.
This includes vehicles blocking pavements, driveways and emergency access routes.
Current enforcement is limited by a lack of existing restrictions and stretched resources.
As such, the council argues that introducing paid parking could generate revenue to fund tow trucks and employ more enforcement officers.
Councillor Richard Herrett of BCP Council said: “We welcome more than 10 million visitors annually to our seafront, and we want it to be safe and welcoming for everyone.
“We know at busy times we have a significant issue with illegal or inconsiderate parking on seafront roads.
“This significantly impacts road safety in these areas and can affect the quality of life for local residents and businesses.”
The move is apparently in a bid to stop drivers parking illegally after more than a thousand were ticketed last weekend for abandoning vehicles on roundabouts and double yellow lines.
But people we’ve spoken to feel it's just “a way for the council to make money”, with many thinking the plan will “backfire”.
One resident said: “I think it’ll limit the number of times people come down to the beach because it's another charge and given the cost-of-living, it won’t be taken lightly.”
Another added: “If you have to pay for parking every time you want to stop somewhere, eventually you’d stop going.”
BCP Council say proposals to extend seafront paid-for parking could generate revenue for additional parking enforcement across a wider area.
Grandparents, Martin and Ginny told us: “All this does is punish families, who are on low incomes, from coming out and having a good time and I just think they're always the ones that are hit.
“I understand they’ve got to look after their budget and I appreciate that, but there must be other ways they can do it or at least make savings in other areas.”
People living on affected streets will be encouraged to buy an annual residents' parking permit costing £70.
There would be a lower tariff during the winter season (1 November– 14 March), with a higher tariff for implemented in summer (15 March - 31 October).
A consultation on the plans ends on 1 August.