A united and collaborative push for tougher enforcement powers to reduce illegal parking has delivered real results for residents, visitors and businesses across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.
Following years of lobbying by BCP Council and local MPs, a trial of higher Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) fines – implemented in August 2025 – has proven that stronger enforcement powers make roads safer, reduce congestion and improve accessibility.
The findings of that trial have now been shared with the Department for Transport (DfT) and demonstrate strong public support for continuing the tougher measures that kept busy coastal routes moving last summer.
BCP Council is now asking Government to grant long-term approval for the powers to be made permanent.
Councillor Millie Earl, Leader of BCP Council, said: “Illegal parking blights our communities. It blocks roads, obstructs pavements, and prevents people with disabilities, parents with pushchairs, and emergency services from moving safely and freely.
“For years we’ve been calling on government for stronger powers to tackle this behaviour, and with the support of our local MPs we’ve been able to trial an approach that clearly demonstrates the need for permanent change.
“The results of the trial speak for themselves: stronger enforcement powers reduce illegal parking, improve safety, and are strongly backed by residents.
“With the technology and infrastructure already in place from the trial, we are ready to make this permanent, which is why we’re asking the government to allow us to do just that – ensuring this sort of behaviour is properly deterred going forwards.”
Councillor Richard Herrett, portfolio holder for destination, leisure and commercial operations at BCP Council, added: “The report clearly shows that greater powers work and prompt a shift in behaviour: – with less illegal parking, shorter journey times, and more than enough parking spaces just a short walk away from the beach. ”
“Making these powers permanent would mean safer roads for everyone every day: keeping our communities accessible and traffic moving more freely.”
Illegal and irresponsible parking dropped significantly during the trial period – falling by nearly 7% instead of the, independently-modelled, expected rise under normal conditions.
The most notable change in behavior came in areas that matter most to residents:
- Fewer vehicles parking on double-yellow lines
- Less cars obstructing junctions
- Better access for buses and emergency services
These improvements kept busy roads moving – meaning less congestion, shortened journey times, and safer roads for everyone.
The higher fines also didn’t put people off visiting our beautiful coast, with millions of trips made to our towns and beaches and returning visitors more than doubling year on year, and, most importantly, there was more than enough spare capacity at car parks just a short walk from the beach on every day throughout the summer.
The implementation of higher parking fines is backed by the public: 59% of residents supported the increased rates alongside 76% of businesses—underscoring that communities rightly want parking to be fair, safe, and responsibly managed.
Last year’s trial went ahead following approval from the DfT, after years of lobbying from the Council, with a one-month period permitted on select coast roads. It followed persistent problems with illegal and irresponsible parking across Bournemouth, Christchurch, and Poole, which, at its peak, saw more than 4,000 PCNs handed out across just three weekends.
The full report to the DfT can be found here: Trial for increased parking fines and penalty charge notices (PCN) | BCP
A separate executive summary will be discussed by councillors at BCP Council’s Overview and Scrutiny Board on 23 February and Cabinet on 4 March.
The report to councillors can be found here: Overview and Scrutiny Board agenda.
