A PARISH council has hit out at the response from Wessex Water as Studland residents face a “double whammy” of transport woes, claiming its concerns have been "ignored". 

As previously reported, the B3351 Studland Road will be closed for five weeks of water main works from October 31.

The project will start on the same day the Sandbanks Ferry is taken out of service for its annual maintenance which is due to last for four weeks.

Studland Parish Council said it is urging Wessex Water to “act” on its three requests relating to the road closure. 

Read more: Diversion route for B3351 Studland Road water works revealed

The council is calling on the water company to move the date of the closure to January when the ferry is not closed; for emergency services to reach Studland “speedily” and for residents in the area to be compensated for the “extra costs involved in travelling longer distances”.

According to the council, it had given its views on the works “on four successive occasions” during a consultation process organised by Dorset Council.

Nick Boulter, council chair, said: “Sadly Wessex Water – on four occasions - has ignored the comments of Studland Parish Council and Corfe Castle Parish Council, the two organisations representing the people and businesses most affected.

“We ask them to act on our three requests now.”