COUNCIL bosses have refused to publish the report they commissioned on repairs to the zig zag path at Highcliffe Castle.

Officers sought advice from consultants AECOM on costings after they closed the popular path on safety grounds.

That advice was used as the basis for councillors deciding last month that it was too expensive to replace the zig zag - much to the anger of local residents.

It's understood that even councillors haven't been shown the report - they were only given a precy at the initial resources.

Last week a petition signed by 3,000 people was handed in at full council calling for a rethink.

But now council officers have refused a request from campaigners and the Daily Echo to make the report public.

Lindsay Cass, head of property and engineering said it is exempt from disclosure under Freedom of Information rules "given the fact that subject to any future council decision a further phase (of work) may or may not be required.”

He added AECOM's findings "provided sufficient information for officers to present to members of the community committee to enable them to consider whether they wished to proceed with the replacement of the path.

“Based on the committee decision the full commission of the AECOM work was paused and therefore the outline design and estimates contained within their advice are considered to be only the first phase of the work."

The Echo understands AECOM came up with nine options, only one of which was put to the committee.

Residents leaders attacked the decision not to release the report.

Bob Hutchings, chairman of the Rothesay Drive Residents Association, said he was frustrated by the refusal and he would be challenging it.

"FoI rules say things like this can be disclosed if it is reasonable to do so in the public and in my view that more than meets this test.

"This is all part of them stalling for time. The officers refuse to engage in a dialogue with us."

He said the council had not carried out an equalities impact assessment as they are obliged to do to see what effect the decision would have on the disabled.

"No wonder they haven't done it. They know they would have a huge problem."

Some campaigners believe council officers want to spend money on project in other parts of the borough, including the Regent Centre and Riversmeet leisure centre.

The issue will be discussed at full council next month after six councillors intervened to get it debated again.