Objectors to the Poole gyratory system have launched a two-pronged attack in a bid to get it stopped.

Traffic orders for the contentious one-way street system along West Quay Road and West Street were finally signed off by cabinet portfolio holder Councillor Xena Dion, under urgency rules, to enable it to be built in time for the opening of the Twin Sails Bridge early next year.

But it is strongly opposed by residents who fear the out-dated design will become a racetrack, a barrier to crossing the town, that large lorries will damage properties in the old town and any accidents would create gridlock.

Now residents have appealed to Eric Pickles, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, calling on him to intervene.

And Poole People councillors under leader Councillor Mark Howell, with Liberal Democrats Mike Brooke and Phil Eades, are urging Borough of Poole to hold an extraordinary meeting to debate a motion calling for work to be delayed pending an urgent review.

Borough of Poole Mayor Councillor Graham Wilson will meet officers on Monday to discuss this, however council leader, Councillor Elaine Atkinson pointed out it had been before 16 panels of members in the last five or six years.

“I just feel to put this on hold at the moment would freeze Poole,” she said. “This is a scheme we need to deliver now in its first phase. It is part of the regeneration of Poole.”

The motion claims failings in the consultation process and evidence that advice from the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment was ignored and calls for a delay while a review and alternatives are sought.

Resident Andrew Hope, who proposed an alternative one-way road system, has written to the secretary of state urging him to delay the scheme.

“The council have been offered the opportunity to have a workshop to explore the best options for Poole with some of the top national and international experts in transport and urban design for free,” he said.

On top of this Cllr Brooke has called in the decision, which can only consider the process, not the decision itself.