Second double seaside parking fines trial starts

A trial of higher fines for illegal parking this summer at a seaside resort has started.

Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council more than doubled its penalty charge notices (PCNs) in a trial last year and has now been allowed to do the same this summer. The highest fines will be £160.

Earlier this month the Department for Transport approved the second trial, which will run from 4 August until 31 August.

BCP Council said the trial was a huge success, reducing illegal parking and improving access on the busiest roads.

President of the area's destination management board David Bailey said the illegal parking in previous years had been unmanageable.

"We welcome everyone to Bournemouth, we are a tourist resort," he said.

"We want everyone to come, but some people come and they park their cars in the craziest of places."

The trial will apply to roads between Sandbanks in Poole and Southbourne in Bournemouth.

Fines will increase to match the levels set for London, from £70 to £160, reducing to £80 if settled within 14 days. Fines for towaways will also increase significantly during the trial to £280.

Bailey said previously the fines could end up being cheaper than paying for on-street parking in London.

He said: "So why not park wherever you want to?

"People love to park as close to the sea as possible, preferably on the sand if they could get away with it."

Chair of the Branksome Park and Canford Cliffs Residents Association Andrea Charman said last year she was blocked into her driveway twice by parked cars.

"If you've come a long way to take your kids to the beach and it's sweltering and you can't find anywhere, you are going to park wherever you can," she said.

"So actually I don't think it will be a great deterrent, I really think people will still be parking on corners and all sorts of other things, it's not going to actually end the problem."

Some residents have blamed the illegal parking on a lack of car parks in the area, but the council said there had been spare capacity on every day so far in 2026.

Richard Herrett, portfolio holder for Destination, Leisure, and Commercial Operations, said: "The inconsiderate, illegal, and dangerous parking we see on our seafront every single summer continues to put people at risk.

"The evidence is clear: tougher fines work. They cut illegal parking, improve safety and have strong backing from the people most affected - including 59% of residents and 76% of local businesses who gave their feedback to last year's trial."