COUNCIL leaders have been urged to review car parking charges at Upton Country Park as nearby residential roads continue to experience problems.
Upton resident Jamie Dunn has been calling on the local authority to take action for many months.
Over the past year he has seen cars parking all along Pony Drive, before making their way across Poole Road and into the country park.
While Dorset Council, as the highway authority, has launched the legal process to prohibit parking in Pony Drive, Mr Dunn said said BCP Council, who own the country park, should consider a reduction in parking charges in an effort to stop people looking for somewhere else to leave their vehicles.
"It has been a problem for the best part of 2020," said Mr Dunn.
"The amount of people using Pony Drive, mainly, and other roads that have access to the park as they are not willing to pay the charges because, to me, they are extortionate, or they know there is free parking with no restrictions.
"My main issue is highlighting to BCP Council that they need to review because that is why we are still getting a lot of people parking down these roads.
"Over weekends, we have had numerous issues and I go over to the country park and the main car park is normally only half full.
"There is an issue of people knowing they can park elsewhere and using the local roads for their advantage."
Mr Dunn said the parking situation at its worst raises a concern with emergency service vehicles facing difficulties accessing the residential area.
Parking charges were introduced at Upton Country Park in 2017, with rates of £1.50 for an hour, £3 for two hours, £4.50 hours for four hours and £6 for more than four hours.
Councillor Mark Anderson, BCP Council portfolio holder for environment, said: "We are aware of parking issues in Pony Drive near Upton Country Park and continue to support the work led by Lytchett Minster and Upton Town Council to help find an amicable resolution.
"Further discussions took place last year with Dorset Highways, residents and local councillors as this road falls outside BCP Council’s area.
“We continue to promote the main car park facilities at Upton Country Park through all our printed and online literature to reduce impact to the local area and offer a low parking tariff with great value season tickets.
"All money raised from parking helps support the maintenance and improvements around the park, including our recent expansion which saw enhancements to the cycle network to allow for more sustainable visits throughout the year.”
Councillor Ray Bryan, Dorset Council portfolio holder for highways, said it was "disappointing that many drivers will choose to park inconsiderately or dangerously rather than using the car parks available".
He added: “Following a site meeting with Lytchett Minster and Upton Town Council, our highways team has started the legal process to create a Traffic Regulation Order to prohibit parking in this area."
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