THIS summer’s attempted crackdown on nuisance car parking saw a staggering 40 per cent increase in tickets being issued by the council.

A total of 43,571 car parking penalty charge notices were issued by BCP Council from April 1 to August 30.

This was up from 30,997 over the same period last year and equated to more than 280 tickets being issued every day.

Cllr Mike Greene, BCP Council portfolio holder for transport, said: “Of course, we welcome all those who come to BCP to enjoy all that our wonderful area has to offer. But we do all need those who drive to park responsibly, considerately and legally.

Read more: 'Parking fines need to be more expensive in BCP area'

“We made a promise that we would significantly boost enforcement over the summer and, while we hoped it would be unnecessary, the increase in parking tickets shows that it was a wise precaution.

Bournemouth Echo: Cllr Mike GreeneCllr Mike Greene (Image: BCP Council)

“We are never going to avoid parking problems entirely, we are really pleased to hear from residents how much the measures we took during the summer helped."

The figures obtained by a Freedom of Information request by the Daily Echo showed the number of car parking penalty charge notices issued every summer since BCP Council formed in three years ago:

  • 2019 – 28,659
  • 2020 – 22,723
  • 2021 – 30,997
  • 2022 – 43,571

These fines cover people who have parked illegally and those who have overstayed the time they paid for in a space.

Read more: Was this the worst parking in BCP at the weekend?

Alongside the use of ticket enforcement, for the past three years the council has contracted a tow away firm for the worst cases relating to illegally parked vehicles.

The local authority says it will ask for a vehicle to be towed if it is parked in a disabled space without a blue badge, it has a fake or fraudulent blue badge, it is parked using a fraudulent permit, voucher scratch card or ticket, it causes dangerous obstruction to emergency services or other road users or it is found parked illegally on multiple occasions.

The Freedom of Information Act revealed 34 vehicles were towed away this summer. This was down from 47 last year but up on the 11 in the first year of the policy in 2020.

Bournemouth Echo: Bad parking on Bournemouth East Cliff. Photo from Barbara BirdBad parking on Bournemouth East Cliff. Photo from Barbara Bird

Residents and councillors have said the current levels of fines for illegal car parking do not serve as a deterrent.

Earlier this year Boscombe East and Pokesdown ward councillor Andy Jones said he had written to the five MPs whose constituencies cover the conurbation calling for the existing £70 maximum fine to be increased in line with London.

It is understood the council has continued to lobby the Department for Transport on the issue although this has proved challenging with the ministerial changes in government.