RESIDENTS and elected leaders have protested against the trialled closure of a Poole park entrance.
More than 200 people gathered in Whitecliff Road on Saturday, January 20, bearing placards and flyers to argue the move by BCP Council.
The local authority has been blocking vehicle access to Poole Park’s entrance and exit point on Whitecliff Road and Twemlow Avenue since Wednesday, January 17.
It has been running a public consultation alongside the ‘trial closure’.
However, residents have been quick to criticise the move, with some arguing motorists pose no risk to park users.
Poole resident Sharon Hunt said: “There have never been any incidents in the park where people have been injured.
“There are lots of places in BCP where there have been incidents, and they’re really dangerous for cyclists and walkers.
“These places should be tackled before they start taking people’s liberty away.”
Others were concerned about the impact it would have on elderly and disabled residents, who are unable to access the park on foot, or felt through traffic kept the park safer for women.
Julie Caines, who helped to organise the protest, said: “I grew up in this area - this is my local park so it's dear to my heart.”
“I just feel that access to the park should be open to everyone, and all the gates should be open.”
Julie added she was “very pleased” with the turnout of campaigners.
Since the trialled closure was announced, a Facebook group called Leave Poole Park Alone has gathered more than 1,000 members.
Campaign efforts have also been supported by elected leaders, with councillors and Sir Robert Syms, MP for Poole, attending the protest on Saturday.
Canford Cliffs ward councillor John Challenor told the Daily Echo: “I’m here to support local residents who are unhappy at something that has been done without consultation.
“It’s something they’ve always had access to, and it does really infringe on people that use this route for a whole range of reasons.
“To access the park from this side of town, we now have to drive round, which is more congestion and more pollution.
“Fair play to the organisers for spreading the word, it shows that people care.”
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