Decision details

Whitecliff Rd/ Keyhole Bridge Further Review

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Is Key decision?: No

Is subject to call in?: No

Purpose:

To inform a review and decide the preferred option for this route:

Option A – leave Whitecliff Road open to all traffic through Keyhole Bridge.

Option B – re-close Whitecliff Road at Keyhole Bridge to motor vehicles for a further trial period of 6 months using a new ETRO.

Option C – permanently close Whitecliff Road at Keyhole Bridge to motor vehicles.

Decision:

RESOLVED that: -

Having considered all responses, evidence and information Option A, as outlined in the report, to Keep Whitecliff Road open as it is at present be approved.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Sustainability and Transport

 

Reason

Cabinet considered all of the existing information obtained historically and in the recent additional consultation period and undertook the necessary review to consider all options following the decision of the High Court dated 18 November 2021. (Accessible via a link in the Background Papers).

The Cabinet were less persuaded by some of the assumptions and conclusions within the second analysis and considered that on balance the data analysis of Dorset Council made more sense.

Option B, a further trial was not a sensible way forward as Cabinet considered that they had all the information on this that would be available.

Option C does little to improve air quality and there were balanced arguments on road. However, it was considered that, on balance, closing the bridge would lead to displaced traffic and therefore impact on road safety and the economic impact.

Report author: Richard Pearson, Richard Pincroft

Publication date: 14/12/2022

Date of decision: 14/12/2022

Decided at meeting: 14/12/2022 - Cabinet

Accompanying Documents: