THE contentious Poole old town gyratory system is to go ahead after being approved by the cabinet portfolio holder.

Strong public opposition to making the road system feeding the two lifting bridges one-way, with a new link road, has now erupted into a row over the way it was done.

Liberal Democrats are angry that the traffic orders were made under “urgency” rules, because of the need to complete the work at the same time as the Twin Sails Bridge opens.

Cllr Phil Eades called the Marston link road “completely unnecessary”.

He said: “It cannot be democratic or right for a decision of this magnitude to be made under powers of urgency.”

Lib Dem group leader Cllr Mike Brooke said: “I believe the ‘urgency’ issue is a deliberate attempt to stop the decision being called in as it means the gyratory system cannot now be delayed.

“I will be calling in the process as the only option left to us. At least we should be able to improve processes for the future.”

The £1million road layout, which includes a new Marston Road link, was carefully considered by Cllr Xena Dion.

Before making her decision she weighed up 37 objections from residents.

“The very strong argument for an alternative scheme, involving two-way traffic along West Quay Road and keeping through traffic away from the old town does not address the very high levels of congestion and delays that would arise from traffic having to turn right across oncoming traffic,” she said.

To avoid that there would have to be multiple turning lanes and the road widened, but the council does not own the necessary land, making it unviable, she said.

The scheme catered well for cyclists and pedestrians and the port needed an “effective and flowing transport route”.

She added: “I believe I have made this decision based on what is the best option for the wider population of Poole.

“I do appreciate the time and effort local residents have put in to their argument against the decision and aim to engage closely with them as we consider the next phase.”