Drivers face £160 fines for road offences as council looks to make higher penalties permanent
Drivers have been warned they could be hit with higher fines for road offences across a popular seaside region under new measures.
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council have revealed plans to make temporary traffic fines permanent to crack down on illegal parking in the region.
The move follows the end of the trial of higher Penalty Charge Notice fines, which was put in place until August last year in a bid to drastically tackle poor driving habits.
The higher penalties were in response to persistent problems with illegal and irresponsible parking across the region, which, at its peak, saw more than 4,000 PCNs handed out across just three weekends.
Under the new increases, drivers were slapped with £160 for higher tariff fines, up from £70 and £110 for lower tariff offences, previously paying £50.
Other measures include increased fees for releasing cars seized by the council, with drivers having to pay £280 for release from the car pound, up from £105.
Meanwhile, storage fees for vehicles seized will increase from £12 per day to a whopping £55, with disposal fees up from £50 to £100.
The findings of the trial have been shared with the Department for Transport, with hopes of making the measures permanent and keeping the busy coastal routes moving during peak summer periods.
The council launched the trial last summer after more than 4,000 parking tickets were issued over three weekends
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BOURNEMOUTH, CHRISTCHURCH AND POOLE COUNCIL
Councillor Millie Earl said: “Illegal parking blights our communities. It blocks roads, obstructs pavements, and prevents people with disabilities, parents with pushchairs, and emergency services from moving safely and freely.
“For years, we’ve been calling on the Government for stronger powers to tackle this behaviour, and with the support of our local MPs, we’ve been able to trial an approach that clearly demonstrates the need for permanent change.
“With the technology and infrastructure already in place from the trial, we are ready to make this permanent, which is why we’re asking the Government to allow us to do just that – ensuring this sort of behaviour is properly deterred going forward.”
Illegal and irresponsible parking dropped significantly during the trial period, with the council recording nearly a seven per cent fall compared to the year before.
Drivers faced sharp increases in penalties during the trial period
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BOURNEMOUTH, CHRISTCHURCH AND POOLE COUNCILThe most notable change following the trial period resulted in fewer vehicles parking on double-yellow lines, fewer cars obstructing junctions, and better access for buses and emergency services.
Councillor Richard Herrett added: “The report clearly shows that greater powers work and prompt a shift in behaviour, with less illegal parking, shorter journey times, and more than enough parking spaces just a short walk away from the beach.
“Making these powers permanent would mean safer roads for everyone, every day: keeping our communities accessible and traffic moving more freely.”
The council increased the fee for releasing seized cars
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BRADFORD COUNCILThe local authority explained how higher fines failed to put people off visiting the coast, with millions of trips made despite the threat of higher penalties.
The implementation of higher parking fines was also backed by the public, with 59 per cent of residents supporting the increased rates alongside 76 per cent of businesses.
Councillor Richard Herrett concluded: “For too long, illegal and dangerous parking along our seafront roads has put lives at risk, obstructed emergency and resident access, and undermined the safety and enjoyment of our coastal spaces.”
