Cycling campaigners have accused a local highway authority of ‘robbing’ residents of sustainable transport options by re-opening a bridge underpass in Poole to rat-running motor traffic.
Christchurch and Poole Council (BCP) closed the Keyhole Bridge underpass below the railway in Poole Park to motor traffic under an experimental traffic order (ETRO) in August 2020.
Cycling UK said this made it safer for people cycling, walking and using the park during the pandemic but the council re-opened the route to traffic in March 2021, having closed the planned six-month consultation period almost a month early.
The active travel charity said that a report commissioned by local campaigners Keyhole Bridge Group (KBG) demonstrated a positive financial impact of £8.5m over 20 years from closing the route to motor traffic.
The campaigners said the decision to re-open the narrow underpass was based on an assessment that the closure would create delays of around three minutes at peak times, with an economic cost of £220,000 per year or £4.4m over 20 years - roughly half the value for money of keeping it closed to traffic according to the KBG report.
Photo by Keyhole Bridge Group
Sue Smith from KBG said: ‘This report shows the reopening of Keyhole Bridge was never justified. However, we are a small group of local campaigners who have had to fight long and hard to get our voice heard, funded entirely through donations.
‘It shouldn’t have to be this way – that to get a robust analysis of the advantages and disadvantages of a road closure we as citizens have to commission it ourselves. We should be able to trust our local decision-makers do their jobs properly.’
Cycling UK head of campaigns Duncan Dollimore said: ‘BCP Council’s policies clearly state that it aims to encourage sustainable travel by prioritising walking and cycling, particularly for short journeys, through the reallocation of road space to sustainable modes.
‘We know that 71% of all journeys made in England are under five miles and being less car-dependent would be hugely helpful to families who are having to tighten their belts. Yet BCP Council is looking backward and robbing people of that option.’
A BCP Spokesperson said: ‘The portfolio holder for transport and sustainability made a decision to remove this measure after a range of policy considerations and after carefully reviewing all consultation responses. The decision was made in accordance with the council’s democratic processes [and] included consideration of the economic and health impacts.
‘At the time the decision was made, a basic economic assessment indicated that the measure would have a negative overall economic impact, due to increased traffic and congestion on the alternative routes.
‘Removal of the measure meant that all routes remained open to cars, cyclists and pedestrians and therefore maintained all existing transport options rather than restricting them.’
The Keyhole Bridge Group had previously successfully challenged the decision through a judicial review which ruled in the group’s favour in November 2021. The judge ordered a further consultation, which is currently taking place.
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