PROTESTERS have said they feel “misled by Bournemouth council” during a protest near Wessex Fields yesterday.

The site has been earmarked for housing and commercial development as part of the £45 million Bournemouth International Growth (BIG) Programme, overseen by the Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership.

But residents claim the plans for the business park have been “deliberately hidden” behind plans for a hospital link road.

The link road will connect with Deansleigh Road and Castle Lane East, and is intended to relieve some of the traffic congestion at Royal Bournemouth Hospital.

But Conor O’Luby, of campaign group Friends of Riverside, said: “The highly misleading impression is that the scheme is primarily about alleviating congestion outside the hospital in Castle Lane East.

“However, the scheme is proposed to serve an office development in Wessex Fields that will generate large amounts of extra traffic.

“The council’s own business case predicts more than 1,000 extra vehicles will be generated in the morning rush hour.

“But the council says it is promising an extra 2,500 jobs - so where are the other vehicles going to go?

“The numbers here just don’t seem to add up. This scheme will only add to congestion around the area not alleviate it.”

But Bournemouth council said they have been “absolutely clear” about the aims of the project from the start.

Ian Kalra, head of transportation services, said: “We have been absolutely clear from the outset of this project that the scheme will involve creating a new link directly from the A338 to connect with the Wessex Fields business park, enabling local people to access employment opportunities at Wessex Fields, and providing a second route into the Royal Bournemouth Hospital.

“A number of public engagement events have taken place to fully explain the proposals.

“It’s important to add that the funding secured for this project was based on the proposals to improve infrastructure in the area to enable the growth of businesses and the local economy.”

Protesters were joined by the five candidates hoping to become the MP for Bournemouth East during tomorrow’s general election as well as ward councillor John Adams. The proposals will be considered by the Planning Board in July.