COUNCILLORS met last week to discuss drivers parking in a cycle lane in Boscombe.

Boscombe East and Pokesdown Ward Councillors Andy Jones and George Farquhar met on March 2 with Cllr Mike Greene, the portfolio holder for finance, net zero and transport, to discuss actions to tackle the “ongoing problem” of cars parking in the cycle lane on Christchurch Road.

Cllr Jones called for the meeting in February. 

He said: “Having met George and Mike on site, to stand there and physically see people pulling up with the drivers getting out and disappearing for 15 or 20 minutes, parked right in the middle of the cycle lane or in the loading bay, something needs to be done.

“It was a positive meeting, and obviously something we needed to have to try and move things forward, because clearly the status quo is not acceptable, and we’ve continued to get complaints about it.

“People want to use the cycle lane, but they can’t.”

The preferred enforcement measure of the ward councillors would be to install automated cameras, that would issue fines based on number plate recognition.

However, they were told this is unlikely, due to cost.

Cllr Farquhar said that in his view, this is the best option to eradicate the problem.

“I enquired to the cost of these cameras, I was quoted about £50,000 but the revenue that would pay for them from fines issued wouldn’t be sufficient in Cllr Greene’s mind to pay for their investment, which is disappointing,” Cllr Farquhar said.

“I believe the only way to enforce for safety a mandatory cycle lane is to have the automatic fining so that people get the message that you cannot park in it, you cannot drive into it.”

The agreed course of action from the meeting was to investigate installing protective wands along the cycle lane.

Cllr Greene said he would speak with council officers to establish costs, and if there are any requirements for the width of the lane for the wands to be installed.

Cllr Jones said this was good progress, but that action needs to follow swiftly.

“It was good to meet with Cllr Greene, it came across as productive, but obviously the proof of the pudding is in the eating, in terms of what happens next, how quickly can we move things along.”

He added: “Personally I think we need to get on with it.”