Theme park car park could get ANPR cameras to stop 'abuse'

The Hurn-based theme park has 800 parking bays and recently introduced free short stay parking and reduced spaces for Bournemouth Airport customers. 

Chorley-based ParkingEye has been drafted in by the theme park bosses to bring some order to the car park. 

According to the parking management firm, the proposal will look to “reduce car park abuse and ensure that spaces are available for genuine site users”.

Car park at Hurn (Image: Parley Lane Parking)

A statement said: “Adventure Wonderland is currently undergoing restructuring and is temporarily closed to the general public, with a planned re-opening in 2025.  

“The operation of Adventure Wonderland in its former capacity was not financially sustainable due to operational costs.  

“The overall area will be reformulated into a different tourism and leisure offering, on a smaller scale and of a different nature.  

“The commercial car parking which this application is applying for will allow and facilitate this wider restructuring to ensure that Adventure Wonderland remains an asset to the local tourism offering.” 

Adventure Wonderland said: “Following conversations with those that have used the Adventure Wonderland car parking it has become clear, anecdotally, that the vast majority of their passengers are not using their car park as an alternative to on-airport car parking, but rather as an alternative to using a taxi service and using the ‘kiss and fly’ drop-off.” 

Adventure Wonderland (Image: Daily Echo)

It added: “Another anecdotal finding is that patrons using Adventure Wonderland parking find it difficult to secure on-airport car parking during peak holiday times.  

“With the arrival of Jet2 in 2025 it seems unlikely that this situation will improve.” 

Adventure Wonderland has previously said due to the seasonal nature of its business, the car park remains 80 per cent unused for 70 per cent of the year. 

A planning application has been submitted to BCP Council for the new modifications to the car park, including ANPR cameras, and will be decided in due course. 

Research last year revealed Bournemouth Airport has the most expensive airport car park in the country, with a seven night stay costing £132.25 compared to the second highest, London City Airport at £119.70. 

Bournemouth Airport said pricing is “dynamic” and that looking at one week “doesn’t mean Bournemouth is the most expensive”.