BCP COUNCIL has been urged to withdraw plans to close sections of two clifftop roads to motorised traffic.

A petition has been set up against the plans, which would see a section on both Boscombe Overcliff Drive and Southbourne Overcliff Drive closed, except for pedestrians and cyclists and vehicles accessing properties.

The closure will affect the road between Chessel Avenue and Shelley Park in Boscombe and Portman Crescent and Seaward Avenue in Southbourne.

And the petition, set up by Liz Kite on behalf of Southbourne and Boscombe residents, states the closure will have an adverse effect on the area.

It says: “We believe that this will increase the traffic into the residential area, increase congestion, reduce air quality, increase noise and impact on the safety of local people.

“The proposal is not well thought out and has no evidence that it will have any impact.

“We do not want to be part of an experiment that will have such a detrimental impact on our lives and we urge the council to stop this scheme immediately.”

This is a view echoed by manager of Bournemouth Coastal BID, Fiona McArthur.

Ms McArthur said the closures would further deter customers from visiting businesses on the Overcliff “during what is universally acknowledged as an extremely difficult trading climate”.

She added: “Businesses on the clifftop have expressed concerns that trade from passing customers will be reduced, and that the roads surrounding will be put under additional parking pressure and congestion.

“Businesses, mainly small hotels and bed and breakfast establishments situated in roads running from the cliff top towards the shopping area are concerned that their roads will become ‘rat runs’ for those vehicles that have been diverted from the clifftop.

“These roads are generally used for parking on each side and often drivers have to wait for one vehicle to pass before they are able to progress down the street. Reduced parking will also mean that their guests will struggle to park.

“We would urge BCP Council to reconsider and withdraw these plans, and to perhaps look at areas where safe and permanent cycle lanes along the clifftop can be implemented.”

BCP Council was approached for a comment.