Latest news with #RichardHerrett
BBC News
25-06-2025
- Automotive
- BBC News
New parking charges in Bournemouth and Poole to fund tow trucks
New on-street parking charges have been proposed close to Bournemouth and Poole's the plan, charges will be applied in the Boscombe and Southbourne areas, as well as at West Cliff and Branksome Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council is to target all roads that currently have free parking extending either 0.3 miles (0.5km) or 0.6 miles (1km) back from the seafront. The council said money generated would help pay for tow trucks and enforcement measures against illegal parking. It comes as the authority is facing renewed criticism for the way it deals with illegal parking near the seafront, with many motorists abandoning cars on double yellow council said introducing the new charges would go some way to help with combatting the type of illegal parking seen last weekend, when cars were abandoned on roundabouts and double yellow lines as people flocked to Bournemouth's than 1,000 vehicles were ticketed last weekend but only 10 were towed away. Councillor Richard Herrett, portfolio holder for destination, leisure and commercial operations, said: "If paid-for parking was introduced, the money generated would help fund additional parking enforcement, including increasing the number of vehicles which could be towed away in the worst parking instances""Additionally, the team would be able to enforce illegal parking across a wider area." People living on affected streets will be encouraged to buy an annual residents' parking permit costing £70. There would be a proposed lower tariff during low season (1 November– 14 March), with a higher tariff for the high season (15 March - 31 October). Local shopping areas such as Southbourne Grove and Canford Cliffs Village are excluded from the proposed paid-for parking areas.A consultation on the plans ends on 1 August. You can follow BBC Dorset on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
Daily Mirror
09-06-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Mirror
Drivers risk 'millions' in fines after controversial speed limit change
The speed limit on the A348 Ringwood Road in Ferndown, Dorset was lowered from 40mph to 30mph in 2023, with motorists told to expect a "large number" of penalty notices Motorists are set to be slapped with a staggering number of fines as a speed limit on a popular English dual carriageway is slashed. Dorset Council triggered a storm among drivers by reducing the speed from 40mph to 30mph in 2023, leaving road users flabbergasted at the sudden shift that's been said to lead to an eye-watering 36,000 per cent spike in penalties. The change has been like a red rag to a bull for those accustomed to the prior 40mph limit for years, with one irate motorist told The Times:"That road has been 40mph for decades. READ MORE: Non-toxic mice and rat repellent that 'works after first spray' in homes and gardens "Fine, lower the speed limit by 10mph, but at least give motorists plenty of notice and warning signs about the change. A cynical person might wonder if the change in speed limit was due to this camera not catching enough drivers." Another disgruntled driver vented their frustration on Facebook, labelling the mandatory speed awareness course for clocking 34mph in the new 30mph zone as "absolutely ridiculous". In a bid to reduce collision odds and to get more people walking or cycling, the council pulled the trigger on the revised speed cap following public consultation in 2023, reports Birmingham Live. Their statement laid out the plan: "The speed limit between Longham Bridge and Longham Mini Roundabouts will be reduced to 30mph later in 2023. "This is in line with Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council's decision to reduce the speed limit to 30mph further south on Ringwood Road, towards Bear Cross Roundabout." Plans are in place to cut the speed limit to 30mph on a treacherous stretch of road, with changes kicking in later in 2023, spanning from around 45 metres north-east of Ringwood Road's junction with Turbary Road down to the existing 30mph zone near Manor Close. Councillor Richard Herrett commented to the Times, "These measures have made this busy dual carriageway safer and more pleasant for all road users, following on from fatalities in 2018 and 2019." Another person expressed their frustration, "Speed cameras should not be used to generate revenue by fining motorists, adding points to their driving licences, increasing motorists' insurance premiums, increasing the number of disqualified drivers and profiting companies selling Speed Awareness courses." They continued, questioning the decision: "Cameras should promote road safety. So what evidence is available, I wonder, to prove that this stretch of road merited the limit reduction to 30mph?"
BBC News
05-06-2025
- Automotive
- BBC News
Speeding tickets up 36,000% on Bournemouth road after limit change
The number of speeding tickets issued to motorists on a major Dorset route went up by 36,131% in the first full year since the limit was reduced from 40mph to 30mph. Responding to a Freedom of Information request, the county's road safety team revealed that the camera on the A348 Ringwood Road in Bournemouth resulted in 11,594 fines in 2024. This was after Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council changed the speed limit in May 2023 following a public comparison, 32 offences were issued in 2022 and 55 in 2021. The council said it did not receive any income from fines and that the speed limit change had formed part of travel improvements from Poole town centre to Ferndown and camera is located northbound opposite Turbary Retail Park. The FOI also revealed that more than 3,000 speeding tickets had been issued to motorists caught exceeding the limit so far this year. 'Busy dual carriageway' It showed that a total of 14,774 were issued from 2020 until now. The figures do not include cancelled Herrett, portfolio holder for destination, leisure and commercial operations at BCP Council, said: "The speed limit reduction on Ringwood Road formed part of BCP Council and Dorset Council's Transforming Cities Fund sustainable travel improvements from Poole town centre to Ferndown and Wimborne."We also recently installed a new toucan crossing on Ringwood Road to encourage more people to visit the nearby retail park on foot more safely and help lower congestion."Mr Herrett added that the measures "have made this busy dual carriageway safer and more pleasant for all road users" following on from fatalities in 2018 and 2019. You can follow BBC Dorset on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Yahoo
Popular Dorset beach loses Blue Flag status
A popular Dorset beach has lost its Blue Flag status as nine sites across the county retain the accolade. Weymouth Central Beach missed out on the internationally recognised award given to beaches, marinas, and sustainable tourism boats that meet specific environmental, educational, safety, and accessibility criteria. It comes after the beach's water quality was downgraded from "excellent" to "good" by the Environment Agency at the end of 2024. Avon Beach, Branksome Chine, Canford Cliffs, Durley Chine, Fisherman's Walk, Friars Cliff, Highcliffe, Sandbanks, and Shore Road all received Blue Flags. Sandbanks beach has been awarded Blue Flag status in every year the awards have been running, with this marking its 38th year of accreditation. Councillor Richard Herrett, portfolio holder for destination, leisure, and commercial operations at BCP Council, said: "We are very proud to have our beaches recognised, once again, as Blue Flag locations – highlighting our stunning natural surroundings. "Each day our dedicated teams work around the clock to ensure our beaches meet Blue Flag standards – so that residents and visitors can enjoy the best of our coastline." Environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy, which manages the programme in England, announced the winners for 2025. Weymouth Beach and Bournemouth Pier were given a Seaside Award. Seaside Awards, while also recognising quality and diversity, focus more broadly on a well-managed, clean, and safe beach experience for visitors. Weymouth Town Council's Town Clerk, Jane Biscombe, said: "We are delighted to be awarded the prestigious Seaside Award for another year. Weymouth Beach is such a fantastic resource for our residents." In January Matt Bell, chair of Weymouth Town Council's Environment and Services Committee, admitted he was "disappointed" to learn that the quality of the areas water had been downgraded. He added that the council would "work with agencies including the Environment Agency and Wessex Water to find ways to tackle the cause of the lower rating, and work alongside partners to improve the situation". You can follow BBC Dorset on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram. Blue Flag at risk over sewage concerns - council BCP Council Weymouth Town Council
BBC News
15-05-2025
- BBC News
Dorset: Weymouth beach loses Blue Flag status
A popular Dorset beach has lost its Blue Flag status as nine sites across the county retain the Central Beach missed out on the internationally recognised award given to beaches, marinas, and sustainable tourism boats that meet specific environmental, educational, safety, and accessibility comes after the beach's water quality was downgraded from "excellent" to "good" by the Environment Agency at the end of Beach, Branksome Chine, Canford Cliffs, Durley Chine, Fisherman's Walk, Friars Cliff, Highcliffe, Sandbanks, and Shore Road all received Blue Flags. Sandbanks beach has been awarded Blue Flag status in every year the awards have been running, with this marking its 38th year of Richard Herrett, portfolio holder for destination, leisure, and commercial operations at BCP Council, said: "We are very proud to have our beaches recognised, once again, as Blue Flag locations – highlighting our stunning natural surroundings."Each day our dedicated teams work around the clock to ensure our beaches meet Blue Flag standards – so that residents and visitors can enjoy the best of our coastline."Environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy, which manages the programme in England, announced the winners for 2025. Weymouth Beach and Bournemouth Pier were given a Seaside Award. Seaside Awards, while also recognising quality and diversity, focus more broadly on a well-managed, clean, and safe beach experience for Town Council's Town Clerk, Jane Biscombe, said: "We are delighted to be awarded the prestigious Seaside Award for another year. Weymouth Beach is such a fantastic resource for our residents."In January Matt Bell, chair of Weymouth Town Council's Environment and Services Committee, admitted he was "disappointed" to learn that the quality of the areas water had been added that the council would "work with agencies including the Environment Agency and Wessex Water to find ways to tackle the cause of the lower rating, and work alongside partners to improve the situation". You can follow BBC Dorset on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
