CLAIMS that high kerbs alongside the Whitelegg Way, Bournemouth are “an absolute danger” have been denied.

Parkstone councillor Ann Stribley said the description was given to her by emergency vehicle drivers she had been speaking to.

The claim follows an incident in January when a car became stuck on the kerbing after pulling over for a police car.

Cllr Stribley told this week’s overview and scrutiny committee that she had also been told of vehicles being damaged while trying to mount the kerb to get out of the way of blue light vehicles.

Council director of transport and engineering Julian McLaughlin told the committee that his staff had consulted with emergency services and had been told that managers were satisfied with the road layout – which he said was fully compliant with Department of Transport regulations.

“They are happy with the design and happy that an ambulance on blue lights can get through without people having to mount the kerb,” said Mr McLaughlin.

Committee chairman Cllr Steve Bartlett said he was aware of public concern over the road layout and would formally write and ask the council to address people’s concerns.

The Whitelegg Way scheme on the A347 is part of the council’s £102m Transforming Cities scheme to create sustainable travel links across the area.

There has been claims since the start of the project that the kerbs separating the cycle lane from the main road are too high, whereas the council says the design “adheres to national standards”.

Previously, independent community group BH Active Travel has also praised the cycle lane, with a spokesperson saying: “We do of course sympathise with car drivers who feel ‘rather claustrophobic’ in their one tonne sofa-carrying steel boxes. Luckily, for those who are able there’s now a very safe lane they can use to alleviate this.”