THERE has been no public or stakeholder consultation or consideration on the decision to remove parking bays adjacent to the Evening Hill open space. Demonstrating once again scant regard for the views of residents.

By using emergency local authority procedures and accessing the government’s Emergency Active Travel Funding, the council are pushing through measures that would certainly encounter resistance – should they actually bother to consult!

This is a popular and well-visited picnic area, and removal of these parking bays to accommodate the extension of the cycle lane will adversely affect many residents and visitors – particularly those with mobility issues who need to park close to this site. Given the importance of access to open spaces with regards to mental health and general wellbeing, making it more difficult for people to access these areas must surely be counter to council and public health recommendations and policies.

Implementing schemes and initiatives without engagement with the local populace stops the council from receiving valuable input and feedback from the very people that decisions such as this will directly affect. Hopefully the relevant councillors and officers will reconsider before going ahead with these plans.

JOHN CHALLINOR

Chair, Parkstone Bay Association

Gleneagles Avenue, Poole