NEW double yellow lines will help prevent dangerous parking near Boscombe's shared space area, the council says.

The markings were laid down overnight on Wednesday in the area between the raised shared space bend by McDonalds in the Precinct and the Crescent.

The stretch of Christchurch Road has always had restricted parking, but as part of the shared space redevelopment several years ago the road markings were removed and signs placed at the entrance to the area.

However, business owners and residents in the area have complained that drivers were ignoring or unaware of the restrictions.

Councillor Christopher Wakefield said he and fellow ward councillor Jane Kelly had worked with the council's transport department to have the lines reinstated.

"Officers said they would reduce the amount of street furniture, i.e. signage, and also road lines, and put up the restrictions at either end saying there was no parking," he said.

"As we all know that didn't work.

"We have had cars parked every which-way along there, it has been a total nightmare, people have been parking willy-nilly.

"Some have not understood the restrictions, others just haven't cared.

"The yellow lines will show people that there is no parking there and make it easier, if enforcement is necessary, for traffic wardens to do their job. It should help the traffic flow more safely in that area."

Local businesses have expressed satisfaction with the move.

Harry Seccombe of bar/restaurant Chaplins said: "People have been parking all over the place. On the bend and even between the bollards the council put there.

"The signs were not very clear, I have had customers and even family members come to visit saying they were lucky to find a space, but they were just parked out on the road.

"There must have been some successful appeals to any tickets they issued.

"I think this will solve some of the problems there, it has been really dangerous with buses having to swerve across the road. I have seen a few minor accidents."

The possibility of reinstating the yellow lines was mooted last summer.

Also last year, the council confirmed the granite bollards marking out the shared space area at the bend will be made permanent.