I AM writing in response to Richard Bennett from Whitchurch (Letters, January 19) ‘More foresight was necessary’.

It’s odd that Mr Bennett should criticise this truly ambitious scheme for one of Bournemouth’s primary travel routes. The council is implementing the town’s biggest ever transport improvement programme which is all about ensuring we have a network fit for the future.

In short, the government chose to invest in Bournemouth because we have a long term strategy which they believe in.

Our priority is to keep the town moving and the council is working hard in preparing for a future with more residents, more jobs and more commuters by making changes which will help improve travel across Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch.

To do nothing as suggested by Mr Bennett is simply not an option.

We are focussing on making improvements to sustainable travel options by encouraging more people to walk, cycle and take the bus to work and to our schools. Without concentrating on these initiatives, the government funding would not have been made available to Bournemouth.

Through Three Towns Travel we have invested in the large bus hub facility at the Royal Bournemouth Hospital and are providing assistance to RBH’s Travel Action Plans in a bid to encourage their staff to travel sustainably.

This is an important priority as more and more of us want to use our cars and that is clearly not sustainable. At the time planning consent was first granted for the development of RBH, the application was subject to Crown immunity.

Lacking the necessary additional developers’ investment in highway infrastructure has therefore been a significant cause of the increased traffic congestion. Bournemouth council is working closely with RBH to improve the situation by assessing road improvement and funding options with them, as well as providing support in developing more effective sustainable workplace travel plans.

CLLR MICHAEL FILER,

Transport portfolio holder, Bournemouth council