CAR parks in Broadstone have seen a significant drop in usage since increased parking charges were introduced earlier this year.

Ticket sales at the Station Approach car park decreased by 86 per cent in April – the month Poole council raised the tariff from 40p to £1 per hour.

A report to the transportation advisory group outlined the impact of parking charges across the borough.

It stated there was “clear resistance” to the increased car parking charges in Broadstone in April 2017.

While ticket sales at Story Lane car park dropped less drastically in April than at Station Approach car park, there was a 29 per cent decrease compared to the same month in 2016.

Despite this, income from ticket sales increased by 31 per cent in April at Story Lane and five per cent at Station Approach.

Between April and September, ticket sales picked up at both car parks. In September, ticket sales at Story Lane had decreased by 22 per cent compared to 2016 and 19 per cent at Station Approach, with income increases of 40 per cent and 38 per cent respectively.

Opposition councillors fought against the hike in car parking charges, with councillors Mike Brooke and Vikki Slade reporting to cabinet members the charges had led to reduced footfall and a decline in income for Broadstone traders.

Reacting to the figures in the recent council report, Cllr Slade said: “The purpose of the exercise was for the council to make money, and they pushed it as far as they could. They really aren’t interested in the fact there has been a drop in usage.

“The real issue we have got is drivers are parking in residential roads, causing residents difficulties.

“A lot of shoppers won’t use Broadstone, which has an impact on businesses. They can’t handle a 10 per cent or 20 per cent reduction in trade. We’ve already lost one business this summer.

“We have a leisure centre that’s less sustainable as it costs to park there when other gyms and leisure centres in the borough offer free parking.”

She added: “We did everything we could to fight the changes.”

Cllr Brooke once again called for a full review of parking charges.

“By increasing car parking charges, the council has not been supportive of local communities. I know they are short of money, but to base the decision on money falls short of their duties and responsibilities.”