A CONSULTATION over how to spend £1million in grant money on Parkstone’s Ashley Road will start later than planned, locals have been told.

The Borough of Poole had expected to be consulting already over how to spend the money from the Local Sustainable Transport Fund, which is part of an £12million scheme to improve the A35 corridor through the conurbation.

Transport manager Steve Tite said the consultation had been delayed after a council committee considered criticisms of the way a road system was planned around the town’s two bridges.

“I think it’s really the select committee that has made us re-think our process to make sure we are fully engaging with the community. You haven’t missed it,” he told Newtown and Parkstone residents at an area meeting.

Cllr Brian Clements, who chaired the select committee, said: “Probably the most significant outcome from it was a view that we really have to make our planners and our highways people work very closely together to try and make sure these schemes address the needs of people.

“It’s not to be just about getting cars moving as fast as we possibly can. We have to look at pedestrian interests.”