FURIOUS taxi drivers are considering a “blockade” of Bournemouth town centre in protest over parking tickets.

They are thinking of direct action because the camera car is issuing fines “like confetti”.

Driver Tony Walker brought up the issue at October’s meeting of the town’s chamber of commerce.

He said drivers were getting fined for pick-ups in bus stops and on double yellows with restrictions.

Mr Walker, who works for Winton-based Mobile Radio Cars, said: “People are considering a blockade of Bournemouth.

“There’s a lot of anger out there.

“The problem is the camera car issuing tickets like confetti.

“We have tried talking with the parking department but got nowhere.”

After the meeting he told the Daily Echo drivers had won refunds after recently discovering a law that allows them to load and unload.

But he said the fines were still being issued for pick-ups on roads with a ban on stopping.

He said: “Many of our customers are elderly and it’s not easy for them to get around.”

He added: “It’s a small group of drivers that are proposing the blockade.”

The camera car was originally intended to catch motorists who park on school zigzags and bus stops but is now also used to catch people on double yellow lines where there is no loading or unloading.

The Echo revealed in February how 481 innocent drivers had been fined by the camera car in three years.

Gary Powell, the council’s parking and traffic manager, said: “The camera car is a road safety initiative which has proven benefits.

“We have in the past discussed the issue of ticketing taxis who park in areas where the camera car patrol.

“Where a taxi driver is legitimately operating and the vehicle is occupied they will not be issued with a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN).

“However, a PCN will be issued if the vehicle is not occupied and there is no evidence that they are operating as a taxi. The driver would have the right to appeal.

“Should the taxi trade have any further concerns we would be more than happy to meet with them.”