Ministers urged to act as BCP Council warns illegal parking crisis will worsen this summer
BCP Council is warning the government that "time is of the essence" to grant tougher powers against illegal parking near the beach before summer
Leaders at BCP Council have renewed calls for permanent higher parking fines after a landmark trial across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole last summer led to a sharp drop in dangerous and irresponsible parking.
Councillor Millie Earl has written again to Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander urging the government to move quickly, warning that “time is of the essence” as warmer weather draws large crowds to the area’s beaches.
The intervention follows a trial in August last year that saw higher-rate penalty charge notices introduced across 543 coastal roads stretching from Sandbanks to Southbourne.
The increased fines brought the area into line with enforcement levels already used by London authorities.
According to the council, illegal parking fell by nearly 7% during the trial period, with officials saying the most significant improvements were seen in areas affecting residents directly.
These include fewer vehicles parked on double-yellow lines, reduced obstruction at junctions and improved access for buses and emergency services.
Councillor Richard Herrett said the trial demonstrated that stronger enforcement powers were effective in improving road safety and reducing disruption.
“Illegal parking blights our communities and it only gets worse during the summer,” he said. “But we know that greater powers work.”
The council submitted its findings to the Department for Transport in February, requesting permission either to make the higher fines permanent or to extend the trial across the whole conurbation this summer.
The issue has since been raised repeatedly in parliament by local MPs, though the authority says it has yet to receive an official response from ministers.
Council leaders argue the tougher penalties have backing, with residents, businesses and cross-party scrutiny groups all supporting stronger enforcement.
Officials also rejected concerns that higher fines might deter tourism, saying millions of visitors still travelled to the coast during the trial period and that nearby car parks retained ample spare capacity throughout the summer.