NONE of the plans for a Christchurch bypass will go ahead because they're not value for money.

That's the message from Dorset County Council who say they don't have the resources to fund the schemes.

Last year, Christchurch councillors discussed the options for the relief road and vowed to continue lobbying the county council for one.

It came after a report laid out a number of schemes, but it said there was no outstanding favourable option.

Only one - the purple route - was put forward for possible further investigation.

This route runs north from Somerford roundabout at Sainsbury’s, under the railway line north, and connects with the Avon Causeway and the A338, east of Hurn.

The study suggested it could be a new dual carriageway (50mph) with one major junction, two major two-level junctions and ten bridge structures, and cost up to £113m.

Following the committee last year, councillors at Christchurch called on the chief executive to start the process for a public consultation on the purple route option.

However, Dorset County Council - the highways authority - said the options are not viable.

A spokesperson said: "The purple route arguably presents fewer environmental constraints than the red or blue routes, and the flood impact may be less severe due to the relative distance from large urban areas, however, the initial benefit to cost ratio estimate for the purple scheme indicates that it would not present high value for money."

Cllr Peter Finney, cabinet member for environment, highways and infrastructure, said: “The government is very clear that transport schemes will only be funded if they provide high value for money, support growth and are deliverable.

“In light of the conclusions of the Options Assessment Report we do not intend to pursue any of the relief road options further. Scheme development costs are significant and the county council does not have the resources to support this activity.

“We’ll continue to develop the schemes contained within the adopted Local Plan, which Christchurch members have approved. These include improvements to the A35 and B3073 junctions, public transport and cycling and walking facilities.”

David Barnes, strategic director at Christchurch council, said: "Further discussions are needed on the response we have received from the county council."