Published on Wednesday 08 October 2025
BCP Council would like to thank everyone who took the time to provide feedback on the Increased PCN Rate Trial, which ran throughout August 2025.
The feedback period closed on 30 September and we are grateful for the thoughtful and constructive responses received; it will be essential in helping inform the Department for Transport’s (DfT) decision-making process.
The trial was conducted after the Secretary of State for Transport approved the Council’s request to test increased Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) levels in a designated area along coastal roads from Southbourne to Sandbanks.
Its purpose was to evaluate whether higher PCN rates could act as a stronger deterrent to illegal parking, particularly in high-demand areas such as the seafront.
We are now working through the data collected during the trial and the feedback received. A comprehensive report is being drafted and will be submitted to the Department for Transport during the winter months.
It is important to remember that any decision to change PCN amounts nationally rests solely with central government; local councils do not have the authority to set or change PCN rates independently.
Once the report has been reviewed and approved by DfT, it will be published and made available to the public.
Cllr Richard Herrett, Portfolio Holder for Destination, Leisure, and Commercial Operations at BCP Council, said: “Illegal and dangerous parking along our seafront roads has, for too long, put lives at risk; this trial gave us the opportunity to see if increased fines could properly deter that behaviour.
“I’m grateful to everyone – residents and visitors – for their engagement and support throughout this trial and, as a Council, we remain committed to making our area safer and easier to access for everyone.”