BOURNEMOUTH council has now issued a total of 2,070 penalty charge notices to motorists for driving through Kings Park in Bournemouth to avoid traffic hold-ups.

Motorists are continuing to cut through Gloucester Road to and from the park despite repeated warnings that they face being caught on camera and handed a £60 penalty charge.

The park was opened up to buses following the closure of the bridge on Ashley Road but in one week alone the council handed out 1,157 fines and in the second week 913.

The Echo observed around one vehicle every five minutes driving from Kings Park up Gloucester Road between 11.30am and noon.

After this the number of motorists ignoring the camera warnings sharply escalated with at least six breaking regulations in about 10 minutes.

One motorist with her daughter told the Echo they were trying to get to a doctor’s appointment in Walpole Road. She added: “We didn’t see any signs.”

A 21-year-old driver heading down Gloucester Road towards Kings Park stopped when he neared the camera and tried to turn around before realising he had probably been snapped twice.

Another motorist said he had turned right out of the bowls centre not realising it was not allowed.

Former Bournemouth Council deputy leader Adrian Fudge advised several motorists who had been nabbed by the camera to appeal.

He said: “I have just come to see if people are still driving through. I can’t believe 2,000 people who have driven through here can all be arrogant.

“The signage does not comply with Department for Transport regulations.”

Many drivers have been snapped after following instructions from their Sat Navs, he added.

Gary Lucas, receptionist at Bournemouth Indoor Bowls Centre in Gloucester Road, said many of its members have been fined – some on several occasions.

He said: “We put notices up to advise the members but they are still going down the road. One of our members has been fined six times. And we have visitors who don’t know.

“We’ve got people coming down Gloucester Road, seeing it is open and going straight through. It also affects adult learners who use the building.”

Roy Edwards, a bowling club user, said: “I was here last Wednesday from 6pm to 9pm and I saw four cars come from the park and straight up Gloucester Road.”

Cllr Rob Lawton, cabinet member for Environment and Transport, said signage was “clear”.

He added: “Clear signage has been placed during the diversion in compliance with the Highway Code and is over and above what is statutorily required and we regularly check the signage to make sure that it is in place.”