PROPOSED traffic restrictions in part of Poole town centre have been met with opposition from local groups.

The council plans to impose loading restrictions along West Quay Road and no waiting at any time restrictions on the approach to new traffic lights at Whittles Way.

However, Poole Sea Scouts have written to object to the first traffic order as they say it would make it difficult for carers and parents to pick up and drop off cadets, and also prevent the loading of equipment or smaller marine craft.

The Scouts asked for the loading restriction not to apply along the section of road in front of their hall in West Quay Road during off-peak hours.

Poole town ward councillors Andy Hadley and Mark Howell have supported the Scouts in their request.

According to a report by head of transportation, Julian McLaughlin, “there is scope to accommodate the Sea Scouts’ request by reducing the restriction outside the Scout Hall to apply only between 8am and 6pm Monday to Friday.”

“General parking will still be prevented by the yellow lines, and Blue Badge holder parking is unlikely outside the working day,” he added.

Cllr Ian Potter, portfolio holder for transportation, will be asked to approve the amended traffic order on Thursday.

Poole Harbour Association has opposed a separate traffic order proposed for Whittles Way, off West Quay Road.

The council wants to impose no waiting at any time restrictions on the approach to new traffic lights.

However, the association fears yellow lines would effectively remove three parking spaces from along Whittles Way. “The association explains that, by convention, parking only applies on one side of Whittles Way, so that access is maintained, and there have been no complaints about the parking.

“They estimate that there are only six parking spaces in the road,” Mr McLaughlin said in his report to Cllr Potter.

Cllr Hadley has also opposed the traffic order.

“[He] feels that this is a badly designed imposition of lights if it takes out half the parking in the road to accommodate it. For the very low volumes, he is really surprised that it warrants lights at all,” Mr McLaughlin said.

“He suggests make it left turn only out of Whittles Way, with no lights. If it was a private driveway it would be highly unlikely to have them.”

However, the council wants parked vehicles to be kept away from the stop line at the traffic lights because they would interfere with the detection of vehicles and force drivers to wait in the middle of Whittles Way.

“This would mean that vehicles would not be able to pull into Whittles Way and would block traffic on the main road,” Mr McLaughlin said.

He is recommending Cllr Potter approves the traffic order on Thursday.