THE Echo feature on road works in the conurbation once again highlights the need for one combined council overseeing these big issues.

The schemes Councillor Filer talks about are just tampering and will do little or nothing to address the key issue that faces residents of, and visitors to, Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch.

With the travel to work areas, our population is equivalent to a major city.

Yet the planning is made up of four councils all feverishly guarding their own patch, within their own financial constraints – lots of consultation meetings taking place I’m sure, but no foundation for a real solution.

We’re one big place and we need to be, at least, getting something more visionary on the drawing board for the future before traffic gridlock arrives.

As a council tax payer in Bournemouth I have every bit as much interest in traffic problems in Poole, Christchurch and the surrounding areas.

Indeed, living in Southbourne I travel more to Christchurch, which seems to be perpetually defended by road works.

I was interested to see on the TV news that even Portsmouth and Southampton, long-time ‘rivals’, are looking at the possibility of getting together as one combined strategic council to ensure that their part of the south coast attracts the proper national priority and consideration on issues such as traffic, inward investment and housing strategy.

I believe the leaders of our local councils are doing their residents a great disservice by refusing to seriously consider the efficiency and strategic advantages of bringing our local councils together as one.

The time is right.

Following the Scottish commitment to greater devolution, the government is looking at how more powers can be devolved to those areas within England who are prepared to show vision and commitment to better solutions.

Let’s forget those non-visible boundaries we cross every day without thinking, which I believe are costing us dearly, and get our very special area moving into the 21st century.

DOUGLAS EYRE ALDERMAN 
Unite the Conurbation Campaign,
Kirby Way,
Bournemouth