Seaside Town Considers Parking Fees to Tackle Growing Crisis

A local authority is considering a plan to charge residents £70 for parking permits, a move intended to address a parking crisis in the seaside town. The issue was highlighted during a recent heatwave when a large influx of visitors overwhelmed the area. Over a thousand parking fines were issued over a single weekend as people, eager to reach the beach, parked their vehicles in unauthorized locations.

The council, led by the Liberal Democrats, criticized the visitors for their parking habits, which reportedly hindered emergency vehicles. To combat the rise in illegal parking near the coast, the council is proposing to install parking meters on roads within a mile of the seafront. Residents would be offered permits at the £70 rate, replacing the current system of free on-street parking in the affected zones.

The council stated that the revenue generated from the new parking meters would be used to fund tow trucks to remove illegally parked vehicles. However, local residents have expressed frustration, accusing the council of contributing to the problem through roadworks that have led to the installation of new cycle lanes and the sale of two seafront car parks.

Peter Schroeder, chairman of the Branksome Park Residents Association, criticized the proposal, calling it hypocritical. He stated that residents should not have to pay to park on their own streets, especially considering the already high council tax rates. The proposals follow a weekend where a large number of tourists visited Bournemouth beach, resulting in 1,300 parking fines.

Resident Victoria Vix described the situation as chaotic, noting that she had never seen so many cars parked in unauthorized locations. She also mentioned that ambulances were unable to navigate the traffic. Councillor Richard Herrett acknowledged the significant parking issues during busy periods, emphasizing the impact on road safety and the quality of life for residents. He stated that the proposed parking measures could generate revenue for increased parking enforcement and allow for the removal of illegally parked vehicles.