PLANS are being drawn up to cover Bournemouth town centre with parking meters, it has been claimed.

Senior officers have admitted at least 18 more roads are under consideration.

Engineering services manager Geoff Turnbull provided the list in response to a question from worried East Cliff councillor Michael Filer.

And it is believed public consultation could start as soon as more cash becomes available to install the meters.

The next phase is to include Old Christchurch Road, Lansdowne Crescent, Bourne Avenue and Braidley Road.

Additional studies are being carried out regarding Glen Fern Road, Upper Hinton Road, Lorne Park Road, Verulam Place, Richmond Hill, Exeter Park Road, Madeira Road, Lansdowne Road and Wootton Gardens, it has been claimed.

And a section headed "Where next?" mentions Gervis Road, Manor Road, Grove Road, Cavendish Road, Dean Park Crescent and "other neighbourhood centres."

Councillor Anne Rey said more meters would be "another shot in the foot" for traders.

"We will be known as the town full of parking meters," she warned. "Instead of looking at more meters we should be pressing for residents' permits.

"So many people living in this town, particularly in Winton, cannot park outside their own homes because of parking restrictions."

Simon Snell, manager of Charles Fox jeweller's in Westover Road, said: "The meters on Westover Road and Hinton Road have had a detrimental effect on business and more meters will make matters worse.

"As well as deterring people from coming to the town centre it means that more workers will have to park further away on residential roads, upsetting the people living there."

A borough council spokesman said: "The next phase in the introduction of on-street parking charges will include Braidley Road, Old Christchurch Road, Bourne Avenue and Lansdowne Crescent, although we don't yet have a date for going ahead with this.

"Public consultation into the introduction of charges in these roads took place in 2002.

"It's possible other town-centre roads, as well as some in areas further afield, may be considered in future, but this would be subject to full public consultation."

THE METER MAP

ALREADY METERED Hinton Road Westover Road East Overcliff Drive

TO BE METERED Old Christchurch Road Lansdowne Crescent Bourne Avenue Braidley Road

POSSIBLE METERING Glen Fern Road Upper Hinton Road Lorne Park Road Verulam Place Richmond Hill Exeter Park Road Madeira Road Lansdowne Road Wooton Gardens

LONG-TERM? Gervis Road Manor Road Grove Road Cavendish Road Dean Park Crescent

First published: October 19