Parking spaces could be banned from new homes
Councillor suggests controversial idea to reduce congestion in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole
Last updated 7th Jan 2022
New housing developments built in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole could have no car parking included.
It is one angle being looked at to force people out of their cars, and choose cycling, walking and public transport instead.
Transport councillor Mike Greene at BCP Council said: "We are already ultra congested, if we allow the development that is going to come to access cars in the same way as the current average, we are going to end up with more and more problems.
"We have to find a different way around that.
"Say to people who are choosing, and this is the point, choosing to occupy those new developments, it will be impossible or very difficult in some cases for you to be able to own a car there."
Parking restrictions and permits are also being considered.
Before the pandemic, car use in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole accounted for half of all commuter trips under three miles, with just 5 per cent undertaken by bike, according to BCP Council.
The authority said the area was the fourth most congested city region in England and 69th in the world.