Car parks full and on-street parking taken, these drivers have taken matters in their own hands parking on roundabouts and on double yellow lines.

Residents have snapped pictures of the chaotic parking situation on Sunday with Durley Chine, West Cliff, Sandbanks and Canford Cliffs reportedly the worst hit.

It comes as the council warned of major congestion on roads across Bournemouth and Poole this afternoon.

A road in Sandbanks near the chain ferry was also closed as a result of the heavy traffic.

Pedestrians are being forced to walk in busy roads because of the inconsiderate parking.

Bournemouth Echo: The situation in West Cliff.

Earlier this year BCP Council confirmed they would continue to use towing powers to remove cars parked illegally across the conurbation.

The local authority launched a trial of the towaway measures last summer following a spate of issues across the three towns.

Bournemouth Echo:

The council used the powers to move 13 vehicles last summer, although they were not available during the busy post-lockdown months of June and July.

BCP Council has confirmed to the Daily Echo previously that it planned to continue with the policy.

Councillor Mike Greene, portfolio holder for transport and sustainability, said: “BCP Council aims to undertake a fair and transparent approach to the immobilisation and removal of vehicles on its highways and car parks which are parked in contravention of on and off-street parking restrictions.

"Knowing their vehicle might be towed away if parked illegally seemed to have a significant impact on many of the drivers who might have been happy to risk getting a ticket and we therefore saw a lot less obstructive parking once we began the vehicle removal work."