A PRIEST has slated the organisers of the Bournemouth marathon festival after road closures prevented parishioners getting to church.

Father Kevin Cable said regulars could not get through the “blockade” and said he will need to explain the reasons for the significant drop in numbers on Sunday to the Diocese of Winchester.

Father Kevin is leader of Churches in Southbourne and is the Priest in Charge of St Katharine’s in Church Road and St Nicholas on Broadway.

He told those that made it to church that the situation was “unsatisfactory” and mentioned that one 100-year-old woman, who usually attends every week, was unable to get there due to the road closures.

He said attendance at both churches was about half of the usual numbers and said many people had to park a long way from the churches and make the rest of their journey on foot.

And he complained that residents were unable to drive in or out of many roads in the Hengistbury Head area for the duration of the marathon.

Parishioner Ian Whiteley added: “Road closures meant that members of the congregation, some of whom travel from as far afield as Highcliffe and Bransgore, had to make special arrangements to get to church on time, some parking well away from the affected area and crossing the marathon route on foot.

“The road closures during the morning were strictly enforced, leading to some angry words from some motorists.”

More than 100 roads across Bournemouth and Poole were affected by the marathon with details publicised many weeks in advance.

Times and locations could be seen on the Bournemouth Marathon Festival website and details were circulated to householders in affected areas.

A statement to all residents and business owners said: “The event organisers, in association with the Borough of Bournemouth Council and Borough of Poole Council have striven to minimise the disruptive impact of the event to allow those directly affected to carry on with their daily routine with as little inconvenience as possible.”