Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole Council has unveiled proposals that would require residents to pay £70 annually to park outside their own homes.

The Liberal Democrat-led local authority plans to install parking meters along roads within one kilometre of the seafront.

The scheme would see residents offered parking permits at the £70 rate as the council seeks to address parking problems in the coastal region.

Officials say the additional revenue generated from the parking charges would be used to fund more tow-trucks for removing illegally parked vehicles.

Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole council have unveiled proposals that would require residents to pay £70 annually for permits to park outside their own homes

The plans represent a significant change for residents who currently park freely outside their properties in the affected zones.

Local residents have condemned the council for what they see as double standards after it sold two "key" seafront car parks.

Critics have branded the parking permit scheme as "another attack" on motorists by the council.

The controversy comes as BCP council has previously declared a climate emergency.

The proposals have emerged as the council seeks to address parking problems in the coastal area.

The local authority has faced criticism for causing traffic disruption with extensive roadworks to install nearly 50 miles of new cycle lanes across the area.

These cycle lane projects were part of efforts to promote more sustainable travel options.

However, residents argue the combination of selling car parks whilst introducing parking charges demonstrates inconsistent policy-making that penalises car owners.

The parking permit proposals follow a series of "Wild West" parking incidents that have plagued the area.

The plans represent a significant change for residents who currently park freely outside their properties in the affected zones

Tourists have been leaving their vehicles on pavements, grass verges and even roundabouts, causing significant disruption.

These chaotic parking situations have prompted the council to seek new measures to control vehicle placement in the popular seaside destination.

Officials maintain that the revenue from the proposed parking charges will directly support enforcement efforts.

This enhanced enforcement capability aims to deter the problematic parking behaviour that has frustrated both residents and visitors in recent months.