Our posh town is being ruined by cyclists and the council – we can’t even use the roads right outside our homes

RESIDENTS of a posh town have found themselves locked in a war with cyclists and their local council, claiming they are being forced off the roads.

Drivers have been banned from a road in an exclusive neighbourhood to provide more space for two-wheelers.

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Motorists in Poole, Dorset have been left furious after council bosses voted to permanently close a set of gates along the route.

The street provides access to Sandbanks, a "millionaire's playground' peninsula stretching off the Dorset coast into the sea.

Local officials argued that the narrow road was being used as a rat run and that the closure would improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists.

But car owners are now threatening to take them to court to get it reopened, claiming it has worsened congestion and pollution in surrounding areas.

Quite a few people who were spurred into objecting to the closure really found it rather pleasant to be able to hear the birdsong and changed their minds.

Andy HadleyBCP Council cabinet member for the environment

Campaign group Leave Poole Park Alone has begun a campaign to reopen the gates.

Chairman Bob Lister slammed the council for keeping the road closed despite a consultation of locals throwing up several objections, calling the decision "undemocratic".

He told MailOnline: "The council said it was the largest questionnaire they have ever had.

"They created it and now they have ignored it. 

"They had already made up their minds, the whole thing is a whitewash.

"There is now only one entrance and exit and there is not enough room for two cars to pass so you have queues of traffic either side and cars idling for long periods."

Poole resident Karen Leahy added: "I cannot believe the sheer arrogance of the council and the thrall the cycling lobby has."

However, council bosses were quick to point out that the consultation was not binding.

The decision also enjoys support from a rival campaign group, BH Active Travel, who called the decision a "no-brainer".

Andy Hadley, cabinet member for the environment at Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council, told the Mail: "We did an experimental closure so that people could experience it and what we found was that quite a few people who were spurred into objecting to the closure really found it rather pleasant to be able to hear the birdsong and changed their minds.

'"A consultation is not a vote, it never was a vote, it was part of the decision-making process.

"There were a lot of other factors to consider.

"The park is there as a leisure facility but it has gotten busier and busier because people expect to be able to drive through it.

"Strategically, we have to do what we can to preserve our green spaces so that they are a better place to spend time in."

The Sun has contacted BCP Council for comment.

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