THERE has been a significant amount of publicity in the BCP Council area about Emergency Active Travel Schemes, promoted and funded by the Conservative government.

So far these have been implemented only in Bournemouth and Poole.

Some, such as those on Poole Quay and the Old Town, appear to have worked well.

Others have clearly been unsuitable and controversial.

Christchurch Independent councillors have made it clear to BCP officers and other cabinet members that we do not want and will oppose any experimental schemes that will worsen the situation in our borough.

Christchurch already suffers from slow moving traffic and congestion at peak times. To implement any schemes which widen cycle paths and take up road space or block off roads to vehicles, would severely restrict traffic flow and make things worse.

While fully supporting active travel for those who wish to walk or cycle, we cannot support any restriction of the public highway for vehicular traffic.

We are happy to look at schemes as long as there is full consultation with local councillors and residents and the plans make sense.

But it is not sensible to support ‘sustainable’ travel plans which mean vehicles are forced into queues with their engines idling causing even more emissions, as well as huge annoyance and longer delays.

CLLR LESLEY DEDMAN, CLLR DAVID FLAGG, CLLR NICK GEARY, CLLR PAUL HILLIARD, CLLR SIMON MCCORMACK, CLLR MARGARET PHIPPS

Christchurch Independent Group