Bournemouth, Christchurch, Motoring & Transport, Poole | Posted on September 3rd, 2025 | return to news

Have your say on parking fines across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole

Following a month long trial in August a decision has to be made as to whether parking fines should be increased permanently.

During the summer, illegal parking was rife along coastal roads in the Bournemouth, Christchurch Poole (BCP) Council area with more than 4,000 Penalty Charge Notices issued in just three weekends across June and July.

Consequently in July, the Secretary of State for Transport, Heidi Alexander MP, announced they had approved BCP Council’s request for a trial of tougher measures from Sandbanks to Southbourne to tackle irresponsible and dangerous parking – and that this could take place in August.

However, parking fines will now return to their standard level whilst the detailed data from the trial is collated and shared with the DfT who will decide on the next steps.

Feedback is absolutely essential in helping inform the DfT’s decision-making process and everyone is encouraged to ensure their voice is counted by filling in an online form: Increased Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) Trial – Feedback Form which will remain open until the end of September.

There are more than 150 parking locations across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, totalling more than 18,000 spaces, and civil enforcement officers will continue to fine motorists who instead choose to park illegally and put lives at risk.

Helen Taverner, head of Parking Operations and Enforcement at BCP Council, said: “We have collected a huge amount of data and feedback over the last month and are in the process of analysing that alongside the Department for Transport.

“Feedback is still very much welcomed and will be crucial in helping inform what happens next; and we encourage everyone to have their say.

“We will be in a position to share these results, in more detail, in the near future and will continue to work alongside the DfT who will outline the next steps.”

Tags: #bcpcouncil, #fixedpenaltynotice