Bournemouth parking income falls as drivers change their habits

BCP Council parking income misses target as travel habits change

Bournemouth parking income falls as drivers change their habits BCP Council says parking income is falling short of expectations as the cost-of-living crisis and changing travel habits affect how people use car parks across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole. The council is currently forecasting a £27 million overspend for the year, with parking services expected to be £3.2 million over budget. Parking income seven per cent below target Parking income is currently around seven per cent below the level forecast in the council's budget, despite overall revenue from parking charges increasing. Councillor Mike Cox, deputy leader of BCP Council and portfolio holder for finance, said the rise had not been as large as expected because residents and visitors were changing how they spend and travel. He said the cost-of-living crisis was encouraging people to bring their own food rather than spending as much locally, while some visitors were also parking for shorter periods. The council said out-of-town car parks have performed below expectations, while car parks in more prominent locations continue to see strong usage. Changing transport choices could also be contributing to the lower parking income, according to Councillor Cox. BCP Council has been encouraging people to walk and cycle more, and the council acknowledged that greater use of these options can naturally result in lower parking revenue. Cllr Cox said that, in one respect, lower parking income could indicate that efforts to encourage walking and cycling have been successful. However, the financial impact is still being felt, with parking services among the areas contributing to the council's wider budget pressures. Seafront services are also forecast to face a £1.1 million overspend, while the operations division as a whole is expected to be £6.8 million over budget. The council said the overall £27 million overspend is mainly being driven by increased demand and costs in children's and adult care services, alongside reduced government funding. For drivers, the figures highlight how parking demand can change as household finances, visitor spending and transport choices shift. The council's comments also show the balance facing local authorities between encouraging alternatives to driving and maintaining income from council-owned car parks. For Bournemouth and the wider BCP area, parking usage and revenue will therefore remain an important part of the council's financial picture as it responds to changing travel and spending habits.