ROAD closures, penalty notices, full car parks and heavy traffic were the themes in Bournemouth on what was the hottest weekend of the year.

Temperatures hit the high-20s on the weekend which prompted thousands of people to flock to the town’s coastline.

And more than 900 penalty charge notices were given to cars parked illegally across the conurbation.

Bournemouth Echo: Visitors enjoy the hot weather on Bournemouth beach on July 17, 2021.

By 5pm on Saturday, BCP Council had issued 319 tickets to illegally parked cars, by 6.30pm on Sunday, a further 625 tickets were issued.

A number of cars were also towed away from the council with the authority urging people to make the most of the park and ride.

On both Saturday and Sunday, the road to the Sandbanks Peninsula was closed after the car park was full by 9am.

Bournemouth Echo: Road closure in Sandbanks

It was a move largely praised by the Sandbanks Community Group, who said it “avoided a large problem becoming a crisis”.

Chairman of the group, David Morley, said: “We wrote a letter to the council about the concerns we had about what happened last summer and how we could improve this summer.

“We have had discussions with the council and police and they have taken it very seriously.

“The car park was full by 9.15am, there’s no point people coming down here. I think with the road closure, they have been very tactical and strategic, they have been planning to have this available.

“With a police presence, it’s quite clear there is a plan here to deal with this, it calms the whole situation down.

“If you want to come to Sandbanks, you are welcome, who wouldn’t want to come here? But you have to behave and get here early or there’s no point.

“The police have got on top of it, they are managing it with a light hand. There was no aggravation, it was not heavy-handed.

“The council and the police have really listened to what the community has said. It’s about working constructively together to figure out better ways to deal with this situation.”

Bournemouth Echo: Aerial picture by Gary Ellson of Bliss Aviation taken July 17, 2021. Bournemouth Pier and seafront.

Picture by Gary Ellson of Bliss Aviation

Pier Approach was also closed by the council due to high volumes of traffic.

Bournemouth beach was packed over the weekend, with thousands of visitors making the most of the hot weather.

Bournemouth Echo: People enjoy the weather on Bournemouth beach in Dorset. England could see the hottest day of the year this weekend as the skies finally clear after weeks of wet and humid weather. Picture date: Saturday July 17, 2021. PA Photo. Photo credit should read:

People set up on the sand for the entire day on both Saturday and Sunday, with many bringing gazebos, inflatable lilos, and even some tents to enjoy the sun safely.

Surfers and paddleboarders also enjoyed the weather, with many taking to the sea alongside speedboats and dinghies.