FIVE petitions with more than 10,000 signatures calling for Borough of Poole to abandon its proposals for new parking charges are set to come before the council.

The extraordinary level of public feeling will be made clear to councillors at the meeting of the full council on Tuesday, when the petitions will be presented by members of the public.

They relate to controversial plans for new parking charges at some of the Borough parks, and the proposed on-street parking charges the council wants to introduce on residential roads near the beaches.

The petitions, which have been raised by various local residents and groups, relate to specific parts of the proposals.

Some 1,700 people signed a petition against introduction of car parking charges at Whitecliff Car Park, more than 1,200 signed against charging at Lake Pier car park, and 1,000 signed the petition relating to Hamworthy park. Two petitions calling for the council to abandon the plans for on-street pay and display parking charges near beaches gathered more than 6,000 names in all.

Whitecliff resident Bob Lister, who is presenting two of the petitions at next week's meeting said he was "not surprised" by the strength of feeling shown, and said it was right that "people in those areas seek to protect them - they known what their needs and requirements are."

The petitions will be analysed along with all the feedback brought in through the official council consultation on the parking proposals. The results will then be presented to the Borough's Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee in May, which will make its recommendation cabinet. Cabinet which will take the final decision - it will not go before the full council again.

Cllr Janet Walton, Leader of the Council, Borough of Poole, said: “The Council is always keen to hear the views of Poole’s residents and the level of interest in this consultation shows how engaged the community is in Council business.

“We anticipate that feedback received from these consultations will be reported to members of Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee to consider on 24 May before a recommendation is made to Cabinet. Overview and Scrutiny will allow cross-party members to debate this proposal and make their recommendations to Cabinet for consideration.

“The feedback from the public throughout this consultation will be taken into account prior to any decision being made and we would like to thank residents for taking the time to share their views.”