BOURNEMOUTH’S parking boss has defended a decision to increase selected parking meter charges in the town centre by 66 per cent. But the move has been branded “idiotic” by residents’ leader David Clutterbuck.

The biggest increases will be seen at Westover Road, Hinton Road, Lansdowne Crescent, Upper Hinton Road, Glen Fern Road, Old Christchurch Road and Richmond Hill, where an hour’s parking will rise from 60p to £1.

The two hour rate at Westover Road and Hinton Road is also going up 66 per cent from £1.20 to £2.

Other locations will see rises of 25 per cent. Parking at Lansdowne, Lorne Park and Madeira roads is going up from 80p an hour to £1.

As well as the price increases, Bournemouth council has also removed free parking spaces at Bourne Avenue, Braidley Road, Gervis Road, Meyrick Road, Manor Road and Derby Road. Meters are being installed along these roads, with charges ranging from 50p to £1 an hour.

Gerry Bolland, parking and enforcement manager for Bournemouth council, said: “We offer residents and visitors a variety of parking options across the town centre at very competitive rates compared with other towns.

“Overall, the majority of parking charges have been frozen this year with the exception of a number of on-street parking locations.

“We review our parking charges every year. However due to the current economic climate we are meeting more frequently with the Chamber of Trade and Commerce to monitor the impact.

“Any proposed changes are formally advertised and residents and traders are given every opportunity to have their say.”

He added he was confident the parking meters would help shoppers find short-stay parking spaces.

“Our experience of this provision in other locations around the town centre confirms that it will benefit residents, visitors and traders in equal measure.

“The revenue generated is to be ploughed back into council services which is especially important at a time when we need to generate income to help keep council tax down.”

But Mr Clutterbuck, of the East Cliff and Town Centre Residents Association, said the increases will stop people visiting the town centre to shop.

“It is idiotic – people want to be able to park on the street to pop into the shops,” he said.

“Things like this could kill the town centre. It is playing into the hands of centres like Castlepoint because it is so much easier to shop there.”