BCP Council is calling on the government for urgent action to tackle illegal parking before the start of the busy summer season. Council leader Cllr Millie Earl has written to the Secretary of State for Transport, Heidi Alexander, requesting permission to bring back higher parking fines across the region to prevent traffic disruption.
The council is pushing for an extended trial of increased penalty charges, which saw fines for serious parking offences rise from £35 to £80 during a test period last August. That trial, which covered 543 coastal roads from Sandbanks to Southbourne, resulted in a 7 per cent drop in illegal and irresponsible parking. During the project, officials reported fewer vehicles blocking junctions and double-yellow lines, as well as improved access for emergency vehicles and buses.
Although the council submitted a report on the trial’s success to the Department for Transport in February 2026, they have yet to receive a formal response. With the summer tourist season approaching, Cllr Earl warned that time is running out to put measures in place. The council notes that parking problems in the area typically escalate as soon as temperatures hit 20 degrees, and visitor numbers are expected to be high this year.
Local support for the higher fines appears strong, with council survey data showing that 59 per cent of residents and 76 per cent of local businesses back the increase. However, the plan has faced criticism from the AA. Spokesperson Luke Bosdet stated that a blanket increase of parking fines to match levels seen in London is unacceptable, raising concerns that the approach is too broad and could unfairly penalise some motorists.
The council remains focused on securing either a permanent change to the fine structure or an extension of the trial to manage traffic as visitor numbers grow. Officials maintain that the higher charges are necessary to ensure safety and keep roads clear for the community.
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