Campaigners voice concerns over “unnecessary” decision to close gates to Poole Park
More than 1,400 people have shared their concerns at plans to potentially close the Whitecliff Road entrance
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council have accused of being ‘anti-car’ following their decision to keep the gates closed at Poole Park.
The entrance/exit at Whitecliff Road and Twemlow Avenue was controversially shut to cars and traffic last month as part of a four-week trial.
Following last week’s consultation, Poole Park’s gates will remain closed until the council review the results of a consultation.
Around 1,400 people have since objected to the closure with many feeling it was “completely unnecessary, unpopular and unjustified.”
Lead campaigner against the closure and Poole resident Bob Lister told us: “The park has been open for 134 years and there has never been an accident between a car or a pedestrian.
“Unfortunately, this current Council seems to be ‘anti-car’ and by doing so they are just going to kill off tourism.
“You can't get two cars in and out of the park at the same time, so you often have to wait to get out, which is a nightmare. As soon as the weather picks up, it’s going to be absolute chaos.”
Other campaigners shared their concerns over the impact the closure would have on elderly and disabled residents who are unable to access the park on foot.
Meanwhile, cycle activist group BH Active Travel has defended the local authority’s decision to close the gates to through traffic.
However, BCP Council says no permanent decision has been made yet as they review results from a public consultation.
Cllr Andy Hadley, BCP Council Portfolio Holder for Climate Response, Environment and Energy said: “During the consultation period we have had a much bigger response than expected, with over 5,000 entries received.
“It's clear that with such a high response rate, the decision-making process will take longer than we originally planned.
“The item is on the forward plan to be discussed at the Cabinet meeting in May, but we are looking at how we can shorten the timeline and discuss it earlier than that.”
He added: “We are now looking at analysing all these responses and understanding every piece of feedback and insight on either side of the debate that park users took the time to share with us.”
In the meantime, the 1,400 members of the ‘Leave Poole Park Alone’ Facebook group have been left wondering why the gates haven’t been left open until the cabinet meeting in May.
Bob Lister said: “There is one stretch of road where if they just put a little speed bump in middle, it would stop people from speeding up temporarily but that’s all they need to do.
“It seems illogical to make people go all the way around the park to enter when they shouldn’t need to.”