PART of a road in Poole, which has been the subject of fierce debate and a legal dispute, will remain open to traffic.

Members of BCP Council’s cabinet unanimously agreed to keep Keyhole Bridge open to traffic despite public opinion calling for it to be closed to allow safer routes for pedestrians and cyclists.

Three options were available to members – keep it open, temporarily close to gather more evidence and close permanently to traffic except pedestrians and cyclists.

As previously reported, Whitecliff Road was the subject of a BCP Council-backed Experimental Traffic Regulation Order (ETRO) to close the road to traffic to make the area around Poole Park safer for cyclists and pedestrians.

Read more: Decision on Keyhole Bridge to be made at BCP Cabinet meeting

The ETRO was to be in place for 18 months, however BCP Council withdrew the measures more than one month early and reopened the road. This resulted in a legal challenge lobbied by the Keyhole Bridge User Safety Group who argued the order was stopped before all residents could provide feedback.

Bournemouth Echo:

A High Court judge found BCP Council had unlawfully curtailed the initial six-month consultation early in November last year and ordered a further period of consultation from February 28 until April 8.

Of the 791 respondents in the latest consultation, 65 per cent agreed Keyhole Bridge should be closed permanently with 35 per cent disagreeing.

Separate studies were also commissioned to determine the financial impacts of the road closing. BCP Council commissioned Dorset Council to produce an independent assessment, and the Keyhole Bridge Group commissioned KMC Transport Planning to conduct its own report.

Residents and campaigners in favour of closing the road submitted statements which were read at the start of the meeting, with one person saying it would be “morally bankrupt to put traffic economics over safety”.

Read more: High Court decision on Keyhole Bridge

A representative for Network Rail also raised concerns the council could increase the current width restriction for vehicles, warning it would lead to further risk of bridge strikes.

Bournemouth Echo: Wooden plant pots have been installed at Keyhole Bridge near Poole Park after damage was caused to the existing plastic bollards by a vehicle

Ward member, Cllr Steve Baron said: “In my time I have walked through the bridge, I have driven cars and trucks through there and ridden bikes and mopeds.

“From what I have heard as the ward councillor the majority of residents want it to remain open.”

He expressed concern over the traffic being displaced onto nearby roads such as Parkstone Road, should the bridge road be closed.

Cllr Judes Butt thanked those who had contributed, but worried about the voice of the “silent majority”.

She suggested perhaps the speed limit could be reduced on the road to find a forward to suit everybody.

Cllr Mike Greene recommended to cabinet that the bridge remain open to traffic, saying this was “based on everything I have said, ensuring that we have listened to all sides of the argument and all the evidence that has been produced.

“I do not think option b is feasible. I have had all the information, this has gone on for an awful long time and consultation was against b.

“(Option) C does little to improve air quality. There are balanced arguments on road safety and on balance closing the bridge would lead to displaced traffic and greater danger and I believe figures from Dorset Council are more representative.”

We have asked BCP Council if they will be applying to change the width restriction at Keyhole Bridge in light of the decision made by cabinet.