Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council has doubled parking fines across more than 500 residential roads near the seafront, in response to what it has described as "wild west" and dangerous parking by tourists during the summer season. The move affects 543 residential roads close to the seven-mile stretch of south coast seafront, following complaints about motorists abandoning vehicles illegally, including on double yellow lines, causing disruption and safety concerns in the area.

Under the new penalties, drivers caught parking illegally will face fines of £160, up from £80 previously, while the cost of having a vehicle towed away has risen from £105 to £280. The council said the tougher penalties were introduced to tackle the chaos caused by visiting motorists overwhelming the town's parking infrastructure during peak tourist periods.