Palm trees or free on-street parking bays?

Following the initial planting of 11 palms in Holdenhurst Road this summer, the council is now proposing to extend the scheme further up towards the Lansdowne.

But this would require the creation of a central reservation in the middle of the road, which in turn would mean the loss of the 10 current short-stay parking spaces on both sides of the road.

Mark Ellson, chair of Lansdowne Traders’ Association, said he believed extending the palm trees would bring big benefits to the area. He also questioned whether, if the spaces remained, they would remain free for much longer.

“Everybody’s cutting back but credit to the council, they are putting their money where their mouth is,” he said.

“The palm trees are fantastic and my overriding feeling is that while the loss of free town-centre parking is regrettable, it’s a small price to pay.

“To lose car parking anywhere in the town is regrettable but the bottom line is the palm trees will enhance the area and make it much more aesthetically pleasing.”

But another local worker said: “The palm trees do look good and I would like to see them extended, but not at the expense of valuable free parking spaces.

“There are a lot of businesses here who rely on those spaces for their visitors. This seems like a ploy to force them to use paid-for council car parks.”

Cllr Michael Filer, cabinet member for environment and transport, said: “It has always been a dream of mine to make this part of Bournemouth a more pleasant gateway to our town and so far feedback on the tree-lined boulevard has been incredibly positive.

“Further trees will mean the removal of some on-street parking spaces. Therefore I would encourage all residents and businesses within the area to take part in the consultation exercise.”

Local businesses and residents have until Friday, October 1, to make their views known to the council. If the scheme goes ahead, the trees are due to be planted in mid-October.