The mayor of a seaside town has condemned his own council over proposals to charge residents £70 to park outside their own homes.
George Farquhar claimed he knew nothing about the contentious plans which are in response to visitors to Bournemouth parking across driveways, on pavements, grass verges and even roundabouts.
The Liberal Democrat-led Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council argue that pirate parkers are happy to pay the existing £35 maximum fine so sterner measures are needed.
Miles of road are set to be littered with new meters under the scheme, including the residential areas of Sandbanks, Canford Cliffs, Branksome Chine, Westcliff, Boscombe and Southbourne.
But this means home owners will pick up the slack, paying £70 per car on their own streets.
