Poole Park entrance traffic closure to be made permanent

Councillors agreed to permanently ban vehicles from using the entrance at Whitecliff Road in Poole Park

An entrance to a town centre park will be permanently closed to traffic, senior councillors have decided.

Vehicles will not be able to use Poole Park's Whitecliff entrance following the changes.

Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council said 63% of the 5,400 people who responded to a consultation were opposed to the closure, following a four-week trial in January.

But the council's cabinet approved it at a meeting on Wednesday.

The entrance is already shut between 07:30 and 10:00, Monday to Saturday.

Other vehicle access and exit points, as well as parking in the park, will not be affected.

BCP Council ran the four-week consultation in January

Councillor Andy Hadley, member for climate response, environment and energy, said: "This closure is an improvement of a key green space - supporting residents from multiple wards, including some in more deprived areas, to access one of the most beautiful parts in the BCP area.

"These measures will make a positive contribution to the health and wellbeing of the local population and enable more people to enjoy relaxing, walking, wheeling, running or cycling in Poole Park."

He confirmed work would be done to "better support disabled drivers parking and turning" near the gate.

Poole Park was built in 1890, covering 110 acres of open space, with tennis courts, a bowling green, play areas, miniature railway and cafes next to its lake.

Its position near Poole town centre means it is often busy during rush hour as motorists use it as a cut-through.

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