TRAFFIC is to be prevented from using a narrow railway bridge near Poole Park under the latest measure drawn-up to encourage cycling and walking.

A “trial modal filter” is due to be installed at Keyhole Bridge in Whitecliff Road next month, funded through the government’s emergency active travel fund.

But the scheme has attracted opposition from councillors and people living nearby who have criticised a “lack of consultation”.

The measures proposed will see the road closed to vehicles at the bridge in a bid to make the area around Poole Park safer for cyclists and pedestrians.

They were first revealed by the council at the beginning of the month as one of several projects to be funded through a £1.4 million government grant.

However, Parkstone ward councillor Ann Stribley said it had been difficult to get details of exactly what would be done on Whitecliff Road.

“For two weeks I’ve been trying to find out what is being done,” she said. “Ward councillors are meant to be able to represent the views of their residents and this has been done totally secretly.”

Councillors were sent details of the scheme on Tuesday which outline the council’s intention to block off the bridge to traffic from the middle of next month.

The trial closure would remain in place for “up to 18 months” with a review of its effectiveness planned after six months.

But Cllr Stribley has questioned its necessity, as have people living in the area.

“It’s a very narrow, single track road under the bridge,” she said. “It’s not used by so many pedestrians and cyclists to have caused any conflict.

“The narrowness means that vehicles have to stop but that would also be the situation for any cyclists coming in opposite directions.

“Two pedestrians could pass each other but it would not be safe for bicycles coming through.”

Concerns have also been raised that closing the route to vehicles would increase congestion, and subsequent pollution, on Parkstone Road.

But in an email to Cllr Stribley, the cabinet member for transport, councillor Andy Hadley said concerns had been raised about the safety for anyone using the bridge while on foot or bike.

“Cars have become wider over the years and the number of people using this has significantly increased over time,” he said.

“I have heard from plenty of people who do find it unsettling to use the bridge by foot or bike, as visibility is very poor and there is no space to avoid an oncoming car.”

He said making the bridge car-free would not prevent people wishing to use the park from doing so and instead reduce the number of people using it as a shortcut around the civic centre traffic lights.

Similar to the Evening Hill scheme, a consultation will be launched by the council to gather views from people on the trial once the measures are put in place.