Tobias Ellwood wants meeting with minister on car parking fines

This summer saw repeated issues of nuisance cars, with vehicles parked on grass verges, on double yellow lines and on pavements.

The illegal parking issue causes problems for buses and emergency service vehicles, as well as much frustration for residents on the cliff top and surrounding roads.

Boscombe councillor Andy Jones wrote to the five MPs whose constituencies cover the conurbation to gain backing for calls to allow BCP Council to see higher charges for illegal parking.

The current maximum penalty charge notice is £70, which is discounted by 50 per cent if paid within 14 days.

• Read more: The number of parking fines issued to drivers in BCP this summer

Councillor Jones wants the local authority to be on par with Westminster City Council in London, which can impose more expensive fines.

Bournemouth East MP Tobias Ellwood has written to transport secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan MP requesting a meeting to discuss the issue.

Mr Ellwood told the Daily Echo: “It is simply wrong that BCP Council doesn’t have the freedoms to responsibly increase parking charges for cars parked so irresponsibly that they block access for emergency vehicles.

“It’s clear drivers are content to pay the £35 fine when for example visiting the air festival. This clearly is no deterrent.

Tobias Ellwood MP

“I hope the transport secretary will allow us to gain parity with Westminster Council, where charges can be much higher for cars left for the day.”

It is understood no arrangements for the meeting have been made at present.

As reported, this summer saw a 40 per cent increase in the number of tickets issues by BCP Council. Between April 1 and August 30, council staff dished out 43,571 car parking penalty charge notices – up from 30,997 the previous year.

Councillor Jones said: “It is something that I think most people have been talking about for years and it is not only about the summer months.

“Clearly the current system is not acting as a deterrent.

Cllr Andy Jones (Image: BCP Council)

“Why we haven’t at least got a system on par with London doesn’t make any sense to me.”

• Read more: Parking fines handed out at Fox and Hounds pub near Wimborne

Cllr Jones said previous approaches to the Department for Transport have been met with replies of the matter was under review and being looked into.

“Really I think the time for that is long gone,” he said. “We need to take steps to change it as soon as we can.

“It is not about the council getting in pots of money. It is about a threat and deterrent which stops people taking the risk of parking illegally.”