For many, the perfect plan is to head to the beach. During the summer months, beachgoers load up their cars with toys, drinks and snacks, all set for a day by the sea. But for BCP residents, the sheer number of people flooding the beaches during the summer creates 'absolutely horrendous' problems concerning parking, traffic and beach litter.
"All we see is thousands of cars parking and driving erratically." Beach traffic (Image: Kevin Hubble) Colin Beck, a 47-year resident of Verwood, said the current beach parking situation is the worst he has ever seen. He said: "It's a nightmare for everybody.
People are abandoning their cars anywhere and everywhere, including double yellow lines, pavements, tow-away zones, and driveways. "There is not a traffic warden in sight, so people know they can get away with it." BCP Council has put up signs in tow-away zones.
However, Colin maintains that cars are not being towed, and people choose to park in these areas. Cllr Richard Herrett, portfolio holder for destination, leisure and commercial operations, said: "On beautiful weekends like the one just gone, many people choose to spend their time at our seafront. "The vast majority respect the area, but we were incredibly frustrated to see some drivers parking inconsiderately, and in some cases dangerously, at the expense of residents and businesses.
"At busy times, we ensure more officers are on duty across the seafront." When seafront car parks become full, the council has advised drivers to use the Avenue Road and Richmond Gardens car parks and take a stroll through the Lower Gardens and to the beach. Over the weekend, from August 11 to 12, the council's enforcement team issued 1361 parking tickets, with 885 penalty charge notices on Sunday alone.
Tom Hayes, MP for Bournemouth East, criticised the parking situation, saying that the cost of parking fines is not enough of a deterrent to stop people from parking recklessly. However, the council said parking fines are..
. Erin Rhodes.
