A RELIEF road for Christchurch is the only option to deal with increasing traffic problems.

That's the message from the acting leader of Christchurch council who says the authority will continue to push for an alternative route.

It comes just days after the highways authority, Dorset County Council, said they didn't have the resources to fund a new Christchurch bypass.

For years Christchurch councillors have been lobbying the county council for a solution to the congestion and clogged up roads around the borough.

Efforts were stepped up last year when the borough council discussed a number of schemes, with just one put forward for possible further investigation.

Now, following the decision by Dorset County Council, Cllr David Flagg said: "Christchurch Borough Council will continue to press for a relief road as the only sensible option to address the increasing traffic problems in Christchurch.

"The council remains disappointed that despite the relief road study, confirming that four key road junctions are currently at capacity, the county council are not prepared to consider inclusion of a relief road in the Local Transport Plan.

"The delivery of the purple relief road route would see the potential benefit of £168 million per annum to the local economy, which would help support the future growth of Christchurch.

"Although money may not be readily available now, the lack of any ambition to support a relief road option is letting the residents and businesses of Christchurch down badly."

Cllr Peter Finney, Dorset County Council's 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."