Published on Thursday 31 July 2025
Significantly increased parking fines will be handed out to drivers who break the law on roads near to some seafront areas, from Sandbanks to Southbourne, throughout August as part of the Council’s work to improve safety for visitors and residents.
Earlier this month the Department for Transport announced they had approved BCP Council’s request for a trial of tougher measures to tackle irresponsible and dangerous parking.
The trial aims to test whether higher fines will act as a deterrent to illegal, dangerous or inconsiderate parking in busy seafront areas during the high season.
Following the trial, the Department for Transport will assess the results and feedback from the trial and decide on the next steps.
It comes in response to repeated surges in illegal parking on seafront roads during the peak summer period; more than 4,000 Penalty Charge Notices have been handed out to motorists during the three busiest weekends this year so far.
Some of the parking we’ve seen hasn’t just been inconsiderate and irresponsible – it's been dangerous. Residents’ drives and access points have been blocked, and emergency vehicles have struggled to get through key routes: ultimately putting lives at risk.
At the moment, if your car gets towed and you collect it the same day will cost you £105; throughout the period of this trial it would cost £280 to be released the same day.
Cllr Richard Herrett, Portfolio Holder for Destination, Leisure, and Commercial Operations, said: "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. This is not just a matter of inconvenience—it's a public safety issue we can no longer ignore.
"This trial is about seeing if tougher penalties will have an impact and stop people from parking irresponsibly along our seafront. Our goal is to make the area safer and easier to access for everyone who lives here and visits our beautiful area.
“It is also important that we get everyone’s feedback on the trial, so I urge everyone – residents, visitors and businesses – to fill in the short form on our website to let us know what you think.
Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) fines are set by the government and currently stand at:
- £70 for higher tariff parking offences (reduced to £35 if paid within 14 days)
- £50 for lower tariff offences (reduced to £25 if paid within 14 days).
During the trial period, parking fines will be increased in the designated trial area to match London rates and will be:
- £160 for higher tariff offences (reduced to £80 if paid within 14 days)
- £110 for lower tariff offences (reduced to £55 if paid within 14 days).
The fines for towaways will also increase significantly during the trial. They currently stand at:
- £105 for release from Car Pound
- £12 for Storage Fee (per day)
- £50 for Disposal Fee
During the trial period, they will increase to match the levels set for London:
- £280 for release from Car Pound
- £55 for Storage Fee (per day)
- £100 for Disposal Fee
A ‘higher tariff’ is when motorists park somewhere that is not allowed, a ‘lower tariff’ is an infraction at a legal place of parking (i.e. staying too long, parking outside of the bays)
This is the first test of this level of enforcement in England outside of London and will take place following approval from them the Secretary of State for Transport.
The trial will run from 00:01 on 1 August 2025 to 23:59 on 31 August 2025 in the following areas:
Further details about the trial and how to provide feedback is on the council’s website: www.bcpcouncil.gov.uk/parking-fine-trial
The increased PCN fines will be applicable to illegally parked vehicles in both on-street and off-street areas.