CONGESTION charging and higher parking tariffs in Bournemouth town centre would put the resort’s retail and tourism industry at risk, council leader Peter Charon has warned.

Civic chiefs are also opposed to an east to west relief road running through Stour Valley nature reserve, a park and ride scheme at Northbourne, workplace parking charges and reducing town centre parking spaces.

Slamming some suggestions contained in the draft South East Dorset Transport Study, at a council Cabinet meeting, Cllr Charon said: “We will not agree to an east to west relief road if it is going to run through the Stour Valley flood plain. That is not a route we would support.”

Cllr Anne Filer said the suggestions would lead to “a significant reduction in the number of visitors coming to Bournemouth, adding: “In being bold we are doing exactly the right thing for the economy of this town, while ensuring benefits for the wider community overall.”

Cllr Charon shared her sentiments, adding: “That is the absolute drivers of our concerns; both the retail and tourism offer.

“We have five million visitors every year and we will not do anything that jeopardises that part of the economy.

“There is already one park and ride scheme approved at Riverside Avenue; if developers can afford it, so be it. But we will not be happy with a second park and ride off New Road.”

Deputy leader Cllr John Beesley said: “These issues are unacceptable and not ones we are prepared to enact in Bournemouth. We have unanimous cross-party support and I think they stand no chance of going ahead. What other authorities do is up to them.

“We want to work in partnership with Dorset and Poole but we must have a scheme that is viable.”

Bruce Grant-Braham, chairman of Poole Tourism Partnership, has also voiced his opposition to congestion charging.

• The four-year study, funded by the Highways Agency, local councils and government departments, will form part of the third Local Transport Plan.