THE body responsible for securing government money for Dorset’s economy has said transport needs to be a priority after Bournemouth was declared the sixth most congested town in the UK.

Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) weighed in after a survey suggested traffic hold-ups were costing business £9.27million a year, up £1.3m from 2016.

Business groups and bus companies have both said road congestion is one of the major problems facing the area.

Dorset LEP director Lorna Carver said: “An improved transport and digital infrastructure for Dorset is fundamental to supporting local economic growth. A better connected Dorset helps create the right conditions for businesses to thrive and for more highly skilled jobs and housing to be created.

“Dorset LEP has invested significantly in improving transport infrastructure including £45.2 m from the government’s Local Growth Fund to fund a series of transport and infrastructure investments along the A338 and B3073 corridors.

“This is part of the wider Bournemouth International Growth (BIG) Programme – a major economic growth plan focused on improving connectivity, easing congestion, protecting existing jobs and creating new ones in and around Bournemouth Airport and Wessex Fields.

"We are also working closely with public and private sector partners to implement a strategic approach to road and rail improvements for Dorset, as well as supporting future planning for cycle routes and bus service enhancements. This is all to promote efficient, sustainable and reliable connectivity for Dorset."

The LEP brings together councils and representatives of the private sector to bid for government money to help the economy.

Ms Carver added: “Dorset’s transport infrastructure needs to be a priority for central government funding in order for the region to reach its economic potential. "Infrastructure is a key driver of productivity and enhancing the road network as detailed within the government’s new Industrial Strategy is vital to boost earning power in Dorset."

The congestion figures came in the TomTom Traffic Index, which calculated the average time road journeys were taking and compared them with the time they would take in free-flowing conditions.

Bournemouth moved up from seventh to sixth place in TomTom's league table of the most congested towns.