Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council has collected more than £1.54 million from residential parking permits since 2020.
Data obtained through a Freedom of Information request shows the council’s income from permits has risen each year, reaching £372,629 last year. That’s a 13.7 percent increase on the previous year and a 53 percent rise since 2020.
The number of permits issued in the area has also grown by almost 16 percent in five years, increasing from 3,253 in 2020 to 3,680 in 2024.
The biggest jump came between 2020 and 2021 when the number of permits issued rose by 16 percent.
Permit prices differ depending on the area and zone. In Bournemouth, costs can range from £60 up to £242 per year, with one of the most expensive zones covering residents and holiday lets. In Christchurch, residents can pay £85 for 12 months or £48 for six. In Poole, the annual cost is £66.
Sam Sheehan, motoring editor at cinch, the company behind the FOI request, said: “There should be a balance between affordability and accessibility. Multi-car households are often the most affected.”
According to cinch, second and third permits can cost several times more than the first in some parts of the UK.
BCP Council did not offer a comment on the information when asked for reaction from Bournemouth One.