The decision to close one of the access roads to millionaires' playground Sandbanks to cars has sparked a furious row between motorists and cyclists.
Officials have decided to permanently close a series of gates to prevent Poole Park in Dorset being used as a rat run to and from the exclusive peninsula famous for its luxury homes – saying this will improve road safety.
But motorists say the trial of closing the gates has increased pollution from traffic jams – and point out that most locals want to be able to continue driving through.
Now the row could be taken to court as motorists threaten legal action to keep the route open.
Officials from Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council said closing the route will make the park safer for cyclists and pedestrians and reduce carbon emissions.
Circled: The now closed vehicular access to Poole Park, which has caused traffic chaos near Sandbanks
Council officials said Poole Park in Dorset was being used as a shortcut for motorists to get to Sandbanks and therefore closed one of the entrance gates.
Sandbanks residents are facing a traffic jam after cars were stopped by a park in favor of cyclists
But there are reports of cars queuing to get in and out of the only entrance and exit that was still open.
It is also said that commuters have been given an extra 20 minutes in travel time due to increased traffic now using the local roads around the 110-hectare park.
And a local survey found that of 5,400 people asked about the closure, 3,402 said they were against it.
There has been criticism from some elderly and disabled people who find it difficult to walk to the park.
Others said they enjoyed driving through the picturesque park to unwind at the end of the work day.
But the Liberal Democrat-led BCP council voted to maintain the ban, saying it was in line with its 'business strategy for health and wellbeing'.
More than 250 Poole residents protested against this 'crazy action' in February
Furious locals say this move has backfired as it has led to traffic chaos and increased pollution on adjacent roads
Campaign group Leave Poole Park Alone now plans to hire a lawyer to challenge the decision to keep the south-east gate that connects to Sandbanks Road closed.
Bob Lister, chairman of the action group, said the council had shown itself to be “completely undemocratic” and described the process as a “whitewash”.
He said: “For the council to ignore the outcome of the consultation and the majority opinion is ridiculous and shows that it is completely undemocratic.
'The council said it was the largest questionnaire they had ever had. They created it and now they have ignored it. What was the point? They had already made up their minds, the whole thing is a whitewash.
'We think this was done to appease the cycling brigade who want to keep cars out of the park.
'We haven't had summer yet and it's already a nightmare to leave the park.
'There is now only one entrance and exit and there is not enough space for two cars to pass, so you have traffic jams on both sides and cars stand still for long periods of time.
“Pollution has gotten worse, not better.”
Bob Lister (pictured), chairman of the action group, said the council had shown itself to be 'completely undemocratic' and described the process as a 'whitewash'.
On its website, BCP Council states that the reason for the closure was to 'promote environmental improvements' at Poole Park (pictured)
But campaign group BH Active Travel, which champions cycling and walking, said it welcomed the decision.
A spokesperson said: 'We are very happy with this. For us it was a no-brainer.'
Lucie Allen, chairman of BH Active Travel, has previously stated: 'We believe parks should be safe, open green spaces for people to use.
'It has always amazed me that commuters are allowed to drive through the park, especially at the end of the school day and rush hour, effectively using the park as a rat run to avoid congestion on the road network.'
But local resident Ian Lawrence said: 'Sixty-three per cent of people want the gate reopened as it will mean extra miles, delays, congestion and pollution, while hitting car-dependent old, vulnerable and young families, as well as tourism and park livelihoods.”
And Karen Leahy said: 'I can't believe the sheer arrogance of the council and the grip of the cycling lobby.
“It was always going to be the outcome, but that doesn't make it any less wrong.”
The closure of the park due to traffic has been fiercely opposed by locals, who believe it is an 'anti-car' decision to appease the cycling association.
Cars parked in the car park for Poole Park
Jude Butt, a local councilor who is in favor of keeping the gate open, said: 'The message that anyone in a car is a bad guy and shouldn't drive through the park came across a lot during this process.
'But many people in cars are between 80 and 90 years old and enjoy the simple pleasure of driving through them.
“I have seen what has happened since the gates were closed: the road becomes clogged with people queuing to get out of the only exit.
“I think the next step will be to completely ban cars under the green umbrella.”
BCP Council environment portfolio holder Andy Hadley said the public consultation was not a referendum and the outcome was not binding.
He believed that many people who had indicated on the questionnaire that they wanted the gates open again had now changed their minds.
He said: 'We did an experimental closure so people could experience it and what we found was that quite a few people who were prompted to object to the closure actually liked being able to hear the birdsong and changed their minds.
'A consultation is not a vote, it has never been a vote, it was part of the decision-making process. There were many more factors to take into account.
'The park exists as a leisure facility, but it has become increasingly busy as people expect to be able to drive through it.
“Strategically, we need to do what we can to preserve our green spaces so they are a better place to spend time.”
When asked about the closure of the Poole Park rat run and the angry reaction from motorists, Mr Hadley said: 'We are determined to make our area a place where people, nature, coast and cities come together in one sustainable, safe and healthy way. communities.
'This closure is an improvement to an important green space, supporting residents from multiple neighbourhoods, including some in more deprived areas, to access one of the most beautiful parts of the BCP area.
'These measures will make a positive contribution to the health and wellbeing of local people and ensure more people can enjoy relaxing, walking, cycling, running or cycling in Poole Park.'
Andy Martin, an independent councilor who voted to keep the gate closed, said no one would build a road through a public park if they were designing one today.
He said: 'I don't understand how reducing traffic in a public park is not a good thing.
'The municipality is pro-the environment and pro-safety.
'As a municipality we are, in our business strategy, to create a sustainable urban environment and this is part of that. It fits fully into the council's health and wellbeing agenda and also fits into our cleaner, greener and safer agenda.”