COUNCIL chiefs have agreed to consult Poole residents on two more contentious car parking proposals.

Borough of Poole’s (BOP) cabinet decided to carry out public consultation on plans to extend the car parking pay and display scheme in roads adjacent to Poole’s beaches and to implement car parking charges at Upton Country Park.

People will be asked to comment on proposed beach tariff options which could be charged from 8am to 6pm daily from March 1 until October 31.

Grandfather David Hembrow, who uses the Treasure Island Play Area on Cliff Drive, which is one of the affected roads at Canford Cliffs Chine, said: “We’ve been coming to this park, and the beach, for years with our grandson. It is a shame we are going to have to pay now.”

Resident Pam Judd said it is mainly local people who use the on-street parking around Flaghead Road and St Clair Road, which is under consultation, not many visitors from outside the conurbation.

She added: “This is one of the few areas you can park for free and go onto the beach, there is no bus from Penn Hill that brings you to the beach.”

But Martin Williams, from Bournemouth, said: “We are facing cuts – getting people to pay a bit more for their parking will help. I’m all for paying a bit more to park if it means fewer cuts to front line services, such as schools.”

Areas affected under the pay and display plans are located at Canford Cliffs Chine, Branksome Chine and Sandbanks.

In addition, local people will also be given the opportunity to give their views on plans to charge for parking at Upton Country Park. This will include car parking fees for weekends and peak periods, such as school and bank holidays.

BOP transport cabinet member Cllr Drew Mellor said: “Poole’s beaches are popular destinations and at peak times during the summer months we already have problems with traffic flow and parking.”

These proposals follow an earlier decision to consult on parking charges in some of the borough’s parks.

All consultations start in late February.