Plans to charge for free spaces in Bournemouth parks (From Bournemouth Echo)
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Plans to charge for free spaces in Bournemouth parks
12:00pm Monday 4th February 2013 in News By Melanie Vass
Cars parked in Central Drive, Meyrick Park, could be charged in a bid to keep the spaces free for genuine users
PARKING restrictions and charges could be imposed on Bournemouth’s parks in a bid to keep the spaces for genuine users.
Meyrick Park, Kings Park, Queens Park, Slades Farm and Solent Meads have all been looked at by councillors who are concerned that free car parks are being abused by workers, football fans, school-run parents and other non-park users.
Different solutions are now being suggested for each location and will go before councillors on Bournemouth’s economy and tourism panel tomorrow.
In both Queens Park car parks, the recommendation is to restrict free parking to two hours and install parking meters for anyone wishing to stay longer.
This could have an impact on AFC Bournemouth fans who use both the car park at the golf club and the one opposite Fitness First for home games.
At Meyrick Park, the council is suggesting a time restriction of four hours during the working week.
At Slades Farm, the recommendation is to restrict free parking there to only three hours between Monday and Friday.
At Solent Meads, the council is proposing to have one hour’s worth of free parking in half the car park and allocate the remaining half to golfers.
Meters could also be installed there.
And in Kings Park, where it is particularly difficult to identify who is a legitimate park user, the suggestion is to enforce no parking areas and double yellow lines and allocate some parking areas for permit holders only.
Councillors will consider the options and they will decide which ones, if any, they want to put out to public consultation.
Cllr Ian Lancashire, who led the task and finish group, said: “This is all about ensuring that the people who want to use our parks can continue to do so.
“We want genuine users to be able to continue to enjoy our public open space.
“It’s really to stop the parks becoming massive free car parks.”
Comments(70)
nobbythesheep
says...
12:55pm Mon 4 Feb 13
boyerboy wrote:Well not really, the only people who would pay would be the people not using the parking for its actual purpose - as parking for the park.
It’s really to stop the parks becoming massive free car parks.”
MORE LIKE THE COUNCIL EYEING AN OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE SOME DOSH !
l'anglais
says...
12:59pm Mon 4 Feb 13
Another brain stormer from some little Hitler with too much time on their hands.
Ash_69
says...
1:04pm Mon 4 Feb 13
oversixty
says...
1:08pm Mon 4 Feb 13
They are short of money after all!
fairlylocal
says...
1:13pm Mon 4 Feb 13
With regards to the football fans thing - making these car parks paid-for will only make the problem in the surrounding streets worse. On more than one occasion I have been blocked in my drive by inconsiderate football fans. They park ON the roundabout by queens park golf course and all over the junctions.
When will the council learn... charging for things and restricting the use isn't always the best solution.
Old Colonial
says...
1:14pm Mon 4 Feb 13
Arthur Maureen
says...
1:15pm Mon 4 Feb 13
old git 2
says...
1:17pm Mon 4 Feb 13
Ash_69 wrote:golfers are legit park users ..... they shouldnt have to pay. Just as those walking their dog, flying a kite or having a kick about with the kids shouldnt have to pay - the only people who will have to pay looking at this story are those parking all day and not using the park - wheres the problem with that ????
Why can't golfers pas as well? Do they have special privileges over everyone else?
fedupwithjobsworths
says...
1:20pm Mon 4 Feb 13
InkZ
says...
1:32pm Mon 4 Feb 13
andyjb10
says...
1:33pm Mon 4 Feb 13
old git 2 wrote:Well said
Ash_69 wrote:golfers are legit park users ..... they shouldnt have to pay. Just as those walking their dog, flying a kite or having a kick about with the kids shouldnt have to pay - the only people who will have to pay looking at this story are those parking all day and not using the park - wheres the problem with that ????
Why can't golfers pas as well? Do they have special privileges over everyone else?
Afcbpete
says...
1:42pm Mon 4 Feb 13
In Absentia
says...
1:43pm Mon 4 Feb 13
skydriver
says...
1:44pm Mon 4 Feb 13
Arthur Maureen wrote:Well said, come the election, they will be on the scrap heap, we voters have long memories.
Simple answer - vote these toads out of office or stand for election and fight the rats!!!
muscliffman
says...
1:45pm Mon 4 Feb 13
Sell of the Council Car Parks to 'friendly' developers and then charge the displaced motorists who have to use alternative space in the Parks.
Another nice little earner for our Town Hall 'elite'!
live-and-let-live
says...
1:46pm Mon 4 Feb 13
Dr Strangelove
says...
1:52pm Mon 4 Feb 13
Dr Strangelove
says...
1:54pm Mon 4 Feb 13
muscliffman wrote:Yes correct but what do you mean by "special friends" and who are the "elite"?
It's a 'win win' situation for some people at the Town Hall and their special friends.
Sell of the Council Car Parks to 'friendly' developers and then charge the displaced motorists who have to use alternative space in the Parks.
Another nice little earner for our Town Hall 'elite'!
Dr Strangelove
says...
1:58pm Mon 4 Feb 13
Arthur Maureen wrote:This is a conservative area full stop. They could literally rob money out of your wallet as long as they had a blue rosette on no one would blink.
Simple answer - vote these toads out of office or stand for election and fight the rats!!!
mummy123abc
says...
2:06pm Mon 4 Feb 13
Ferndown Steve
says...
2:11pm Mon 4 Feb 13
born2bongo
says...
2:16pm Mon 4 Feb 13
If they don't want people to use the parks for free parking then they must provide free parking where it's needed.
Can we please stop the green nonsense and acknowledge that people drive cars NOT because they are lazy but for the following reasons:
- Public transport doesn't go where you want when you want
- Public transport doesn't carry your heavy bags of shopping to your car
- Public transport doesn't protect you from robbery and violence
- Public transport doesn't protect you from an almost daily soaking in the current climate
- Public transport is only quicker if you don't need to run half a dozen errands on the way to where you are going.
Carbon emissions may need to be cut but oppressing motorists is not the solution. New fuels are the way forward.
And finally, there should be no further hits on the pockets of Bournemouth inhabitants until all the waste and pet projects have been driven out of our council
spryte67
says...
2:19pm Mon 4 Feb 13
The "plebs" that work on the Council have to find parking like everyone else that works near the Town Centre. Instead of reducing the fees for the Richmond Hill Multi Storey Car Park it sits two thirds empty Mon - Fri but all the surrounding roads and parks are bursting at the seams with parked vehicles.
muscliffman
says...
2:25pm Mon 4 Feb 13
Dr Strangelove wrote:They have, but at last - we are blinking!
Arthur Maureen wrote:This is a conservative area full stop. They could literally rob money out of your wallet as long as they had a blue rosette on no one would blink.
Simple answer - vote these toads out of office or stand for election and fight the rats!!!
Bob49
says...
2:54pm Mon 4 Feb 13
l'anglais wrote:What absolute twaddle.
What ever happened to freedom of choice?
Another brain stormer from some little Hitler with too much time on their hands.
It will raise jack in the way of income s the roadhogs will simply slifde off elsewhere - their freedom of choice.
This is perhaps about the first time the council have come up with anything that smacks of common sense and listening to locals.
Locals who will tell you that these places were always easy to park at if you wante to use the park - rather than being clogged up with outsiders working in offices.
The carparks in these areas were intended for use by those using the parks - this will restore that use.
As soon as possible, please.
Mikeyunibournemouth
says...
2:54pm Mon 4 Feb 13
mpdor
says...
3:24pm Mon 4 Feb 13
bmth council GIVE YOUR RESIDENTS A BREAK, BE BOLD, STRIP OUT THE FRIPPERY AND STICK WITH ESSENTIALS
Holland82
says...
3:27pm Mon 4 Feb 13
The Renegade Master
says...
3:28pm Mon 4 Feb 13
Phixer
says...
3:36pm Mon 4 Feb 13
skydriver wrote:But not long enough - and no interest in changing the status quo.
Arthur Maureen wrote:Well said, come the election, they will be on the scrap heap, we voters have long memories.
Simple answer - vote these toads out of office or stand for election and fight the rats!!!
devon fan
says...
3:39pm Mon 4 Feb 13
Phixer
says...
3:48pm Mon 4 Feb 13
Bob49 wrote:Yes, but council policies forced workers to park away from their place of work, restricting places for park users.
l'anglais wrote:What absolute twaddle.
What ever happened to freedom of choice?
Another brain stormer from some little Hitler with too much time on their hands.
It will raise jack in the way of income s the roadhogs will simply slifde off elsewhere - their freedom of choice.
This is perhaps about the first time the council have come up with anything that smacks of common sense and listening to locals.
Locals who will tell you that these places were always easy to park at if you wante to use the park - rather than being clogged up with outsiders working in offices.
The carparks in these areas were intended for use by those using the parks - this will restore that use.
As soon as possible, please.
And now the council policy is to introduce charges to solve a problem of their own making.
There just isn't an ounce of common sense within BBC on how to radically deal with any issues in a way which isn't seen to be screwing their paymasters / taxpayers yet again.
BIGTONE
says...
3:54pm Mon 4 Feb 13
sollie
says...
3:55pm Mon 4 Feb 13
In return they can continue with their white elephant capital expenditure programmes.
zooch1970
says...
4:04pm Mon 4 Feb 13
Bob49
says...
4:08pm Mon 4 Feb 13
you don't appear to have quite got this have you ?
you CANNOT enjoy the amenities of the parks etc if there is no where to park as the road hogs take up all the space ALL day
likewise the idiotic squeaks about revenue raising, when elsewhere others bleat that it is because these roadhogs won't pay elsewhere that there is no space left at the parks
a bit of joined up thinking from some of the witless on here might not go amiss
rayc
says...
4:35pm Mon 4 Feb 13
The obvious solution is to provide massive free car parks in the required locations. What this is really about is the loss of revenue to the council from motorists avoiding their charges.
bobsworthforever
says...
4:47pm Mon 4 Feb 13
Bob49 wrote:What utter trash i go to football at Dean Court but only 25 days a year maximum no problem parking. I walk my dog in Kings Park no problem parking. I take my wife to visit the cemetery no problem parking.This is nothing to do with parking problems its tax gathering pure and simple.
"beaches and parks were the places where you actually go to get away from it all relax"
you don't appear to have quite got this have you ?
you CANNOT enjoy the amenities of the parks etc if there is no where to park as the road hogs take up all the space ALL day
likewise the idiotic squeaks about revenue raising, when elsewhere others bleat that it is because these roadhogs won't pay elsewhere that there is no space left at the parks
a bit of joined up thinking from some of the witless on here might not go amiss
Mikeyunibournemouth
says...
5:04pm Mon 4 Feb 13
mpdor wrote:mpdor have you ever heard of United Nations Agenda 21? If you haven't, I think you pop it in Google and have a look. I think you would find it very interesting....
This will be the thin edge of the wedge, starting with limited charges and then later on everyone will be charged regardless of who they are or what their purpose is to be there, these monies raised do not get ringfenced the money goes into a central pot to make up short fall, how long before the council decides to put meters up in every single rd i the area, i kid you not i know for a fact that it has been discussed in the past, the idea is to do a rd here and there and then eventually spread within the town just as in London, is there anywhere you can go that will not cost you money? beaches and parks were the places where you actually go to get away from it all relax not have to fork out again and again, instead of spreading the wings of council empire start dismantling it, keep all genuine essential services, but start to rid this town of the frippery side of council services, keep only those services that are essential, bmth could be the first town in the country to genuinely dismantle their empire, will it happen? no, to many vested interests and selfish councillors putting their own needs first, do turkeys vote for Christmas? no. will they? no,the budgets of EVERYONE are under intense pressure, help your residents, do not attack them with extra charges, yes the proposals are dressed up as dealing with an issue of workers etc using free park spaces, but the reality is this is a longer term policy of charging regardless of use, i personally do not drive i never learnt to, but i think the way that drivers are being hit in every way possible is a disgrace, those that are on a lower pay scale will not be able to afford to drive, if we are talking of fairness then every single worker within council should pay charges wherever they park and not on expenses, workers at wilkinsons or wh smith or boots etc cannot put it on expenses, so why should overs be able to do so?
bmth council GIVE YOUR RESIDENTS A BREAK, BE BOLD, STRIP OUT THE FRIPPERY AND STICK WITH ESSENTIALS
Mikeyunibournemouth
says...
5:07pm Mon 4 Feb 13
Bob49 wrote:From reading your post, I think that the only witless person in need of joining up their thinking is YOU!!!
"beaches and parks were the places where you actually go to get away from it all relax"
you don't appear to have quite got this have you ?
you CANNOT enjoy the amenities of the parks etc if there is no where to park as the road hogs take up all the space ALL day
likewise the idiotic squeaks about revenue raising, when elsewhere others bleat that it is because these roadhogs won't pay elsewhere that there is no space left at the parks
a bit of joined up thinking from some of the witless on here might not go amiss
Bob49
says...
6:01pm Mon 4 Feb 13
wanting the parks to be accessible to local and not blocked by commuters
even sillier of me, to have worked out that if commuters won't pay elsewhere then they won't pay to block the parks either
and ............United Nations Agenda 21.... dearie me
we have to now believe that, this is all part of a grand conspiracy on behalf of the United Nations - presumably restoring usage of parks to locals is up there with lizards secretly running the world
ps if it was merely a money raising exercise why not simply impose charges fulltime ?
ShuttleX
says...
6:11pm Mon 4 Feb 13
skydriver wrote:Actually skyriver, the voters round here have very short memories.
Arthur Maureen wrote:Well said, come the election, they will be on the scrap heap, we voters have long memories.
Simple answer - vote these toads out of office or stand for election and fight the rats!!!
I agree it's just an execise to get more money in the coffers, but at least they are allowing free parking for some periods of time, unlike most of their car parks. Does it surprise anybody that this Council, run by officers who enjoy free parking anyway, is doing this? These are the same people who will pi55 all over you, then sell you an umbrella.
I was in Boscombe the other day and found out that Burtons is closing. There may be as many as 8 shops shut by summer. I wonder if the Council will put up their charges to compensate for the loss of income as shoppers go elsewhere?
I will leave Bournemouth to those who have no choice but to shop there. I will carry on using CastlePoint and West Quays. I know you pay at the latter, but at least they have shops worth visiting, unlike Bournemouth.
Letcommonsenseprevail
says...
7:00pm Mon 4 Feb 13
boyerboy wrote:Which means they have to put your council tax up less........
It’s really to stop the parks becoming massive free car parks.”
MORE LIKE THE COUNCIL EYEING AN OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE SOME DOSH !
Letcommonsenseprevail
says...
7:01pm Mon 4 Feb 13
l'anglais wrote:??? You will still have a choice whether to park there or not.......
What ever happened to freedom of choice?
Another brain stormer from some little Hitler with too much time on their hands.
Letcommonsenseprevail
says...
7:02pm Mon 4 Feb 13
Afcbpete wrote:AFCB? I think perhaps you will.......
That ok, I won't bother going into Bournemouth any more, Simples!!
Letcommonsenseprevail
says...
7:03pm Mon 4 Feb 13
born2bongo wrote:Dogs have bigger carbon footprints than cars.......
No-one should be paying for parking. Anyone who comes into the town is a net contributor to the wealth of the town and as such should be able to park conveniently and free of charge.
If they don't want people to use the parks for free parking then they must provide free parking where it's needed.
Can we please stop the green nonsense and acknowledge that people drive cars NOT because they are lazy but for the following reasons:
- Public transport doesn't go where you want when you want
- Public transport doesn't carry your heavy bags of shopping to your car
- Public transport doesn't protect you from robbery and violence
- Public transport doesn't protect you from an almost daily soaking in the current climate
- Public transport is only quicker if you don't need to run half a dozen errands on the way to where you are going.
Carbon emissions may need to be cut but oppressing motorists is not the solution. New fuels are the way forward.
And finally, there should be no further hits on the pockets of Bournemouth inhabitants until all the waste and pet projects have been driven out of our council
Letcommonsenseprevail
says...
7:04pm Mon 4 Feb 13
devon fan wrote:Go back to Devon?
in the 40 years I lived in Bournemouth, I have never known such a useless bunch, we need a council full of independants who have the interest of the local people to heart, there is too much party politics involved, the football club has done the councils job by spending time and money in bringing the old lorry park into something more respectable, and in doing so have created space for another 70 cars, for some ineplicable reason the council decides this would not suit their purposes although it would reduce parking in other places, ladies and gentlemen you were voted in to serve the public, try forgetting your pettiness and serve
golfer33
says...
7:10pm Mon 4 Feb 13
senga46
says...
7:12pm Mon 4 Feb 13
Afcbpete
says...
7:13pm Mon 4 Feb 13
LetcommonsenseprevaiI can assure you I WON'T :)
l wrote:
Afcbpete wrote:AFCB? I think perhaps you will.......
That ok, I won't bother going into Bournemouth any more, Simples!!
mysticalshoelace
says...
7:16pm Mon 4 Feb 13
BIGTONE
says...
8:58pm Mon 4 Feb 13
LetcommonsenseprevaiIf you believe they won't have to put your council tax up by less you are living in cuckoo land.
l wrote:
boyerboy wrote:Which means they have to put your council tax up less........
It’s really to stop the parks becoming massive free car parks.”
MORE LIKE THE COUNCIL EYEING AN OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE SOME DOSH !
Have you not realised by now....all councils want their cake and eat it.........and some.
BIGTONE
says...
8:59pm Mon 4 Feb 13
BmthNewshound
says...
9:40pm Mon 4 Feb 13
.
Well that pledge didn't last very long did it ?
.
"Councillors will consider the options" - No Beesley will consider the options and then councillors will be told to rubber stamp his decision.
.
Parking revenues from the town centre are down so they are looking at ways to make up the shortfall. It'll start with 2 hours free parking, then slowing be reduced until free parking is abolished.
jayvee007
says...
9:56pm Mon 4 Feb 13
live-and-let-live wrote:Not all council workers get free parking. It depends on whether your car is essential for your job. If you're based in the same location all day it seems you either have to pay like all the other town centre users or find one of the few free spaces now left where you can park during office hours.
has it ever occurred to council jobsworths to make things easier for people who are trying to live and work in this town? im sure council workers all get free parking. how about giving the same to town centre workers?
l'anglais
says...
10:14pm Mon 4 Feb 13
Bob49 wrote:Fool.
l'anglais wrote:What absolute twaddle.
What ever happened to freedom of choice?
Another brain stormer from some little Hitler with too much time on their hands.
It will raise jack in the way of income s the roadhogs will simply slifde off elsewhere - their freedom of choice.
This is perhaps about the first time the council have come up with anything that smacks of common sense and listening to locals.
Locals who will tell you that these places were always easy to park at if you wante to use the park - rather than being clogged up with outsiders working in offices.
The carparks in these areas were intended for use by those using the parks - this will restore that use.
As soon as possible, please.
These "Outsiders" working in offices, generate various taxes through their employment to help the town ticking along.
You wish to tax them further and reserve the spaces for those have got time amble through parks but not being subject to the first come first served rule of thumb.
HRH of Boscombe
says...
10:33pm Mon 4 Feb 13
Arthur Maureen wrote:NO! I like this idea thanks.
Simple answer - vote these toads out of office or stand for election and fight the rats!!!
soyello
says...
10:33pm Mon 4 Feb 13
Hessenford
says...
10:52pm Mon 4 Feb 13
In Absentia wrote:This sort of ill thought out plan is the reason shops are going to the wall people are turning to the internet and our high streets are becoming ghost towns.
Yet another well conceived scheme by our council to make the town centre an economic wasteland.
Greedy councils will not be happy until every road has yellow lines and parking meters and every car park will become fee paying.
I am happy as Larry that I do all my shopping on the net and go out to the New Forest for walks.
Mangiafuoco
says...
11:08pm Mon 4 Feb 13
Palantir
says...
11:56pm Mon 4 Feb 13
Moving on though I think this is a shameless attempt at squeezing money out of people; the Queens Park one especially which will not just impact football fans but as stated, people in side roads - as someone who does park in a side road I'm considerate for space and people's drives, as are most people who park there - however some people aren't and I agree there will be an increase in block-ins as a knock on from this decision.
The council should think about allowing AFC Bournemouth to increase the number of available parking spaces next to the ground, or creating a season pass for parking on matchdays.
pidgey
says...
2:18am Tue 5 Feb 13
Imaximus
says...
8:48am Tue 5 Feb 13
Flembo
says...
10:25am Tue 5 Feb 13
We all know that both parks are not owned by Poole Council they were given to the people of Poole by Lord Wimborne in 1890 under the condition Poole people would never be charged access to it!!!!! So these areas forever have no parking charges.
The fact Groove on the Green or Party in the Park charged people entrance was against this condition.
glendower2909
says...
11:41am Tue 5 Feb 13
The idea that they are realsing spaces for those that use the amenties for their purpose is confusing
If you are a golfer you will get for free but everyone else will pay. The only reason I park at solent meads is to walk out over the head. Last time I looked no one was parkign there while they tootled off to their office for a days graft..I cant see that anyone parks here other than for the purpose of walking.. it is just a way to drive people into the other council car parks
jeebuscripes
says...
11:59am Tue 5 Feb 13
Get on a bike people, I know it's not always possible, but for a visit to the park it is.
Or a visit to the football match.
The problems for motorists are never going to get better, it can only get worse.
We can't build more of Planet Earth to fit all the new cars in.
soyello
says...
1:36pm Tue 5 Feb 13
glendower2909 wrote:You will only pay if your stay is longer than 1 hour apparently which I think is quite reasonable. There is maybe an issue with the leaseholders of the golf course who's business will be heavily effected if charges come in - hence the free parking for golfers. I don't know how often you visit Solent Meads but there is clearly a problem there with beach hut users (as stated in my previous post), school staff, school parents, school events and even camper vans using it as a camp site. The car park should remain free if for the use of golfers, walkers, dog owners and bird watchers but unfortunately other people abusing and misusing the car park has led to this action from the council.
Confused re the need to charge at Solent Meads.
The idea that they are realsing spaces for those that use the amenties for their purpose is confusing
If you are a golfer you will get for free but everyone else will pay. The only reason I park at solent meads is to walk out over the head. Last time I looked no one was parkign there while they tootled off to their office for a days graft..I cant see that anyone parks here other than for the purpose of walking.. it is just a way to drive people into the other council car parks
Bobby J
says...
8:51pm Thu 7 Feb 13
Mind you, be interesting to see where all the parking wardens would park their own cars if they did manage to enforce it, as that's where they all park!
AdelaidePete
says...
5:36am Sun 10 Feb 13
boyerboy says...
12:12pm Mon 4 Feb 13
MORE LIKE THE COUNCIL EYEING AN OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE SOME DOSH !