AA concerned over resorts' parking fine increases

The AA has voiced concern over a local authority's plans to permanently increase parking fine charges to tackle illegal parking.

In August 2025, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council oversaw a higher penalty charge notice fines trial, which saw fees for offences more than double near beaches in Bournemouth and Poole.

It wants the government to make the fines permament after it said the trial resulted in fewer vehicles parked on double-yellow lines, fewer obstructions and better emergency services access.

AA spokesperson Luke Bosdet said the organisation was concerned the campaign had been applied more generally, resulting in motorists getting fines even when not parked illegally.

The crackdown followed busy weekends in the seaside resorts in June and July, which saw cars parked on double yellow lines and roundabouts.

Previously, residents reported vehicles being abandoned on pavements and blocking fire engines.

The month-long trial, between Sandbanks and Southbourne, saw fees for similar offences raised from £35 to £80 if paid within 14 days.

Other tariffs included a £100 wheel clamp charge and £280 to release a vehicle from a pound.

However, in a letter to BCP council leader Millie Earl, Bosdet said the changes had not addressed "rogue parking problem areas".

He wrote that a "blanket raising of local parking fines to London levels is unacceptable and doesn't get our support", adding that it was an issue "particularly with the wider threat of other councils outside London copying the policy".

Bosdet said due to the cost of parking already being so high there was no deterrence, a "situation that successive BCP councils have helped to create".

In response Richard Herrett, portfolio holder with responsibility for commercial operations, said: "Let's be clear: this trial was approved by the Secretary of State for Transport to see if it would reduce illegal and irresponsible parking, and it did just that."

"Illegal parking doesn't exist only in the month of August – and our residents want tougher action to be taken all year round, not just across a handful of locations on a handful of dates," he said.

"As councillors, illegal and dangerous parking around schools is consistently one of the top topics in our inboxes.

"We know that people keep coming back to enjoy the best of what we have to offer: the last thing they want, when they get here, is to be stuck behind illegally parked cars who have no regard for public safety or accessibility."

He said permanent higher rate PCNs would "mean safer roads and pavements for everyone, everyday... it's a shame the AA won't support that".