THE growth of Dorset's economy is being "hindered" by heavy traffic, campaigners battling for better transport links say.

Councils and businesses in the county have backed calls for better links between the Channel ports of Poole and Southampton and the M4 corridor.

Bath & North East Somerset, Wiltshire, Dorset and Poole councils, as well as local enterprise partnerships and business owners, have published a study, South of England North-South Connectivity Prospectus.

Authors of the study hope to lobby ministers to include improved connections between the west of England and the north and south west in the government's next road investment strategy.

Campaigners have argued that there are a lack of suitable connections between north and south in the strategic network covering large parts of southern England.

The A350 and the A338 experience "considerable congestion", it is claimed, with a large number of heavy goods vehicles travelling between the ports and the motorway network a particular problem.

As a result of the difficulties, the region could lose out of £20.5 billion of economic benefits over the next 60 years.

Councillor Daryl Turner, Dorset County Council’s cabinet member for natural and built environment, said: “Dorset’s economy has been artificially suppressed due to wholly inadequate transport links to our ports and markets, particularly from the north.

"Improved links offer a huge potential for growth throughout the region.

"The government already acknowledges that an improved connection between the M4 and the south coast is desperately needed; the time has come for them to commit to making it happen.”

Jim Stewart, CEO of Poole Harbour Commissioners, said 25 per cent of all deliveries to the port are delayed.

“Inbound vessel arrival times are predictable – by contrast, outbound road delivery movement times are constantly unpredictable," he said.

“The absence of an effective north-south link has hindered growth in Dorset’s economy for decades.

"The Port of Poole is a strategically important ferry port and has recently invested heavily in new port infrastructure, opening up new markets and enabling larger ships to access the port.

"Existing and new port customers currently face major delays and detours in getting goods and passengers to and from Poole. Dorset’s economy

requires urgent investment in a viable north-south road solution if it is to achieve its full potential."