REPRESENTATIVES of Sandbanks Ferry have apologised for a “bullying” email sent by a company director to opponents of planned toll increases.

Speaking at the first day of a public inquiry into planned fare rises, its legal counsel apologised for emails from Tracy Nicol requesting that opponents attend to be cross-examined on their submissions.

In January, the ferry’s owners The Bournemouth-Swanage Motor Road and Ferry Company outlined plans to increase tolls with pedestrian and cyclist charges rising from £1 to £2, cars from £4.50 to £6 and larger vehicles from £8.60 to £12.

The proposals have drawn widespread criticism from regular ferry users and business owners who raised concerns that the increased profits would only result in “enhanced dividends” for its shareholders.

However, the ferry company has said that the increases were needed with it planning to purchase a new £10.7m boat in the next decade and so that its owners could get a "reasonable return on their investment".

A public inquiry was organised to allow an independent inspector to determine whether the toll rises could be allowed.

Purbeck District Council, with support from Swanage Town Council, Corfe Castle Parish Council, Studland Parish Council, Wareham St Martin Parish Council and Worth Matravers Parish Council, has appointed a barrister to put forward its case opposing the proposals at the inquiry.

The Secretary of State for Transport, Chris Grayling, has appointed inspector Kenneth Stone to preside to determine the decision.

About 60 members of the public attended the start of the inquiry at Studland Village Hall on Tuesday although 75 people had submitted written objections for consideration by the inspector.

Everyone who had lodged their opposition to the fare increases was contacted via email by by Sandbanks Ferry director and company secretary, Tracy Nicol, “requesting” that they attend this week’s hearing.

“I write to remind you of your right to attend the public local inquiry to give further evidence should you wish to do so,” the emails said.

“The purpose of this communique is also to request your attendance to be cross-examined on your written objection.”

Poole councillor Philip Eades said that the email gave the impression that the inquiry was a more formal hearing than it is and that it would have put objectors off from attending.

“It’s bullying, quite frankly,” he said. It’s giving the impression that this is a court of law with people forced to be cross-examined on their views.

“No doubt if you received something like this and weren’t fully aware of what public inquiries like this entailed then it might make you think twice about coming.”

More than a dozen people have asked to give their views to the planning inspector on the final day of the inquiry before he makes his decision in the coming months.