‘FUNDAMENTAL’ work to make two roads in Poole town centre one-way systems is going ahead as planned despite objections from local councillors and members of the public.

The council is planning to restrict traffic to one-way along the entire length of West Street from the Hunger Hill junction towards the bridges.

A similar measure is proposed for West Quay Road, with the stretch between Marston Road and Hunger Hill set to become one-way northbound.

Cllr Ian Potter, portfolio holder for planning, regeneration and transportation, considered the objections made by councillors Mark Howell and Andy Hadley and the Bournemouth Cycling Forum yesterday, even while resurfacing work on West Quay Road continued after starting on Sunday.

As previously reported, the town centre councillors believe a one-way system in West Street would create “significant traffic flows”, with the increased noise and vibration from traffic having an impact on residents living in the surrounding area.

The owner of a listed building in West Street also wrote to the council with these concerns, particularly that his property was not built to withstand the effects of modern traffic flows.

Cllr Hadley also said the one-way road design “entirely marginalises vulnerable traffic”, i.e. cyclists, and was a “dinosaur scheme” prioritising motorists.

“Anyone wishing to cycle at a reasonable speed will ignore the last resort measure, placing cycles on the pavement in conflict with pedestrians, and the one-way dual flow, especially with the heavily narrowed lanes, is significantly increasing danger to them on the road,” he said in his letter of objection.

Bournemouth Cycling Forum also objected to the scheme for similar reasons.

The one-way system was proposed as part of the £11.7m Townside Access scheme, which includes the nine-month project currently under way at Hunger Hill.

A report by Julian McLaughlin, head of transportation services, recommended the traffic orders for West Street and West Quay Road to go ahead as planned.

He said: “The scheme was approved by council in December 2017. The one-way circulation was a fundamental feature of the scheme. The council approval was a culmination of lengthy public engagement.”

Work has already taken place at the West Street/ New Orchard junction to realign the kerbs in preparation for wider footpaths and new cycleways that will eventually run the length of West Street and West Quay Road.

Changes will also be made to North Street as part of the re-design of Hunger Hill junction.

The road will be closed to motor vehicles (except buses, taxis and access traffic) in the eastbound direction, and there will be no entry westbound at the Towngate Bridge end.