NEARLY 200 people have signed a petition calling for an overnight barrier to be installed at Hamworthy Park’s car park.

It follows recent complaints from neighbours and park-users that the surface car park is almost always packed out by 7am daily.

The suspicion is that nearby workers from businesses in and around the port are using the car park – which is currently free to use.

However parking charges are due to be introduced later this month, which could deter commuters from using the car park.

But some residents feel this is not enough of a deterrent and have called on Borough of Poole to reinstall the barrier system which was in place at the park until last year.

Father-of-two Brad Youngs launched an e-petition on Tuesday asking the council to “bring back the overnight barrier”.

Since then it has received nearly 200 signatures - 100 of which came within the first 24hours.

Speaking to the Echo he said the car park was being “misused”.

“It is there for people who want to enjoy the park, not for workers in the area who are just looking for a free parking space for the day,” added Mr Youngs, 38.

“I have two young children and by the time we arrive at the park it is almost always full.

“As a result I have to park on the road and juggle two small children while trying to cross the road into the park.

“But the reintroduction of the barrier from late night to mid-morning would make this less attractive option for all day parking leaving it available for actual park users.”

According to a BoP spokesman where a petition contains more than 1,000 signatures of people who live, work or study in the borough, it will be placed on the council agenda of the next ordinary meeting for debate.

If it gains more than 750 signatures it will go to an overview and scrutiny committee and more than 100 means it can be presented to the council by a petitioner.

The petition can be found at http://bit.ly/2rfct5Y