PART of a clifftop road in Bournemouth is set to be closed to traffic, despite opposition from hoteliers.

BCP Council has drawn-up plans to block off East Overcliff Drive between Manor Road and Meyrick Road to give cyclists an alternative to Undercliff Drive.

But concerns have already been raised by hotels based in the road and councillors about the impact the move would have on their businesses.

Under the scheme, which is due to be brought in at the end of August, “modal filters” will be installed at both junctions, restricting use of the road to just walkers and cyclists.

It has been put forward under the government’s emergency active travel fund which encourages and funds councils to reallocate roads away from vehicles.

Several other areas across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole have either already been converted to cater more to cycling and walking or are due to be in the coming weeks.

But last week BH Area Hotel Association chairman Tim Seward urged the council not to progress initial plans to block East Overcliff Drive down to the Royal Bath Hotel.

Speaking at last week’s scrutiny board meeting, council leader Vikki Slade said this was no longer being considered.

However, councillors representing the area have now been told that the road will be closed between Manor Road and Meyrick Road.

“By improving the environment for active travel on East Overcliff Drive, an alternative is being provided to cycling along Undercliff Drive,” an email from council head of engineering Gary Powell said.

“The enhancement for cycling on the Overcliff, will give a better year round route as cycling is currently restricted on the promenade between 10am and 6pm during July and August.

“This will be particularly beneficial when sand builds up, making cycling conditions on the lower route challenging.”

He said the move would also make school travel for children safer.

But East Cliff and Springbourne ward councillor Anne Filer said the move would be a “double whammy” for hotels having begun to recover from the economic affect of the coronavirus lockdown.

“This proposal has been hastily put together, clearly by people who don’t know or understand the area well and who haven’t considered the wider economic implications of it,” she said.

“There has been absolutely no consultation and it seems to be a senseless way of spending money just because it’s been granted.”

She added that the road was not busy enough to require closing with cyclists, walkers and vehicles "already co-existin perfectly happily on this route".

It is proposed the closure will be put in place in the week commencing August 24 and could remain in place for 18 months with a review planned for six months’ time.