COUNCILLORS in Ringwood have called for a dangerous 'rat-run' to be partially closed as part of plans to widen the A31 - provided it is deemed safe to do so.

Members of the town's planning committee discussed possible scenarios for West Street - an often contentious topic of conversation for the town - at their meeting on Friday.

It comes amid Highways England's plans to widen the dual carriageway to three lanes westbound between Ringwood and the turn-off for Verwood just before Hurn Lane.

Among the issues of potentially closing the 30mph single carriageway which joins the A31 westbound traffic is the problem of flow of traffic through the town, access for emergency services and access for business-owners based on the farthest part of the town.

Councillor Philip Day said the town was divided over the issue.

"An awful lot of people have commented on the bus station and seem to be under the impression we can wave a magic wand and move it," he said. "People ought to be aware they don't just park the buses there at night - they also refuel them etc.

"It would not be appropriate to close off the A31 24/7. It is needed for emergency services to get out of there and - as we have experienced when there is an accident on the slip road - you can't get out of Ringwood."

Cllr Day also suggested that an electrically-operated barrier allowing emergency services out of West Street could solve this issue.

Chairman councillor Chris Treleaven said he had received a number of "strong representations" from bus drivers pleading not to be sent back down the High Street, arguing that exiting via the A31 was preferable.

He also said that whatever decision was made safety should be the highest priority during the discussions.

Councillor Tim Ward said: "The closure of West Street is purely a safety issue. At the moment the traffic is governed by the congestion down to a slow speed. When we have the three lanes it will inevitably increase."