Concerns over beach road toll plan

The roadside is used by beachgoers as a free parking area

Plans to introduce tolls on a road to prevent people from parking for free on verges near popular beaches could cost local residents thousands of pounds, critics have said.

Sandbanks Ferry which manages Ferry Road, the only route through the Studland peninsula on the Dorset Coast, announced it planned to introduce a £6.26 charge.

Studland Parish Council and the National Trust are among the bodies objecting.

The ferry company said reducing verge parking would improve safety for pedestrians.

Under the plans, submitted for government approval, drivers would pay the toll on the section of road between Knoll Beach and Shell Bay unless they used the chain ferry or paid to use established car parks.

Under the plans, a 30-minute grace period would allow for dropping off or collecting passengers.

The ferry company said it also needed to revise a 10-year ferry-fare agreement set in 2021 due to high inflation, a tax rise and poor weather over two summers.

Speaking at a meeting of the the Purbeck Transport Action Group, Nick Boulter of Studland Parish Council said someone using the road every day could have to spend "over £2,000" a year.

"We're objecting largely because of the huge impact of the cost," he added.

"People here are already getting Winter Fuel Allowances reduced - this on top would be a big whammy for people."

Dorset Council said it was preparing a response to the plans.

Isaac Beck said his family always parked on the roadside

Among those using the road, Isaac Beck, from Gloucestershire, said his family always parked on the verge when visiting, if there was space.

"It would be a bit of a shame for a lot of people who use the road for parking, I don't think it causes any problems in particular," he said.

"Its always been nice for people to be able to experience Studland with easy parking."

Dawn Hales said the free parking was "why we come to Studland".

"The beauty of this area is that you can park on the road free of charge and access this amazing area," she continued.

"I wouldn't pay - I'd go elsewhere".

But Gaye Durrant, from Devon, said she "wouldn't mind at all" if a charge was introduced.

"They are missing a trick here - every council makes you pay for parking, and parking spaces like this are premium," she said.

"If there was a standard daily charge, fair enough."

Managing director of the Bournemouth-Swanage Motor Road and Ferry Company, Jason du Toit, insisted the takings would add little to the company's overall revenue.

"Yes it will add to our ferry reserve fund but it will be such a small percentage, it's almost negligible," he said.

"It will ease congestion, encourage people to use the National Trust car parks instead of stopping off on Ferry Road and make it a safer environment."

The road cuts through the Studland Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty