A CONTROVERSIAL Poole road closure which has set neighbour against neighbour has been recommended to be made permanent.

Coy Pond Road, Branksome, has been closed under the railway bridge for a six-month experiment, which has served to harden residents' opinions.

There have been accusations of residents of the road attempting to set up a "private estate", while they say the closure has made it safer and more pleasant and hasn't increased traffic on other roads.

"It has split everybody. It's a shame, it's not necessary," said opponent Mark Vanstone.

Now after again hearing the cases for and against, Poole Council's transportation advisory group (TAG) voted by four to three that through traffic be permanently stopped.

Seventy-three letters were received in favour of closure with 55 against, which included power company Scottish and Southern Electric and Bournemouth Council.

Making the case for permanent closure, Steve Pirnie said there had been over 600 vehicles at peak hours going through the road, including lorries through the double blind bend.

He said there had been a huge increase in the number of people using the park in greater safety and 1,600 cyclists using the greenway in one week in August.

Phil Jones, who lives in Surrey Road, said: "When it was initially closed there was an increase in traffic for two to three weeks but it is now much more free flowing."

Mr Vanstone, also from Surrey Road, said: "It's a sledgehammer to crack a nut. I believe you haven't addressed the problem by closing this road."

He said traffic continued to speed along Coy Pond Road and pedestrians had difficulty crossing Surrey Road and again suggested traffic calming was the answer.

Paul Tomlin, also of Surrey Road, said: "This has a big commercial value for residents, property values have probably increased."

It was pointed out that originally 500 people had said they didn't want the closure and 350 were in favour, yet the temporary closure, labelled "Draconian" by portfolio holder Cllr Ron Parker, had gone ahead.

Cllr Parker will receive the TAG's recommendation and is expected to make his decision on Monday.

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First published: November 11