HIGHCLIFFE residents have been left annoyed by a decision to bring forward seasonal charges in a car park. 

BCP Council has initiated seasonal charges at Highcliffe cliff top car park from April 1 to March 14. 

The car park is free during certain parts of the year but the decision was made as part of a consultation which partially aimed to align BCP Councils high and low season parking tariffs in 2023. 

One social media user wrote: "BCP have changed the date for when free parking at Highcliffe/Cliffhanger changes from 1st April to 14th March.

"Several people caught out today (Saturday 16th). Hoods removed from pay and display meters and man with tickets on the prowl. Why the need to change what we were all used to?"

Free in the low season between November 1 and March 14, the change is only on the dates of the high season period. 

The 2023 consultation had also proposed to restructure the length of stay tariff options and remove overnight and Sunday car park charges. 

The consultation changes were implemented on September 6, 2023.

A spokesperson for BCP Council said: "Following this decision by cabinet, which included the harmonised high season date changes, the Council then advertised these changes through a legal Traffic Regulation Order amendment consultation which commenced on 3 November 2023 and closed on 24 November 2023. 

"The advertised notice was publicised in the local press on 3rd November 2023 and legal notices were on display in relevant locations for the duration of the consultation.

"Following the above processes and after a final review of feedback, the items approved at Cabinet were implemented across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole from Tuesday 9 January 2024. These changes provide greater clarity and consistency to car park users and streamline peak and off-peak parking times across the BCP area.

"All affected car parking signage has been updated to reflect the changes. High season across the BCP area will now be from 15 March – 31 October."

The consultation removed short tariff parking options and the minimum stay in town centre car parks is now two hours.