7:30am Wednesday 11th November 2009
By Fiona Pendlebury
AT least 800 motorists have been issued with £60 fines in less than a week for driving through Kings Park in Bournemouth to avoid traffic hold-ups.
When Ashley Road bridge was closed for repairs by Network Rail, the park was opened to local buses and diversionary routes put in place for motorists. But Bournemouth council says despite extensive publicity about the correct diversions, motorists continue to flout the ban on driving through the park – with some driving through at least four times a day.
Cllr Robert Lawton, the council’s cabinet member for environment and transport, said: “I’m very concerned that despite our numerous attempts to advise and warn motorists, people are continuing to drive through the park. We’ve taken every possible measure to inform people they’re not allowed to drive through Kings Park.
“The correct signage is in place warning people only buses are allowed through the park and our officers were on site for two weeks advising people of the correct diversions.”
The council had issued warning letters before it started ticketing last week, he added. “The camera doesn’t flash so drivers may think they’re getting away with it,” he said.
Bournemouth council has been under fire from some motorists for not opening the park to all traffic.
It initially claimed it was not legally possible to do so.
After criticism from former deputy leader Adrian Fudge, the council conceded that it could “exercise discretion” on the use of the park’s roads. But the council said it had a responsibility to protect the park for residents and visitors.
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