PROPOSALS to introduce congestion charging in Purbeck appear to be provoking widespread opposition.

Dorset County Council is currently consulting people on a long list of ideas aimed at relieving Purbeck's traffic-choked roads.

Also mentioned in the Purbeck Transportation Study is a tourist tax, or bed tax, though the report concludes it is unlikely to have a significant effect on car usage.

Lyn Fegan of Swanage Hoteliers' Association said: "This area does very well out of tourists who put a lot of money into the local economy - a bed tax would be totally unfair."

She also opposes the idea of a congestion charge, saying: "It should not happen in Purbeck until public transport is in place."

A petition organised by prospective Conservative MP for Mid Dorset and North Poole, Simon Hayes, gathered over 100 signatures in just 20 minutes from people objecting to a congestion charge.

South Dorset Labour MP Jim Knight said: "I don't think there is any point in doing any of these things unless it is done with the support of the local population and business community."

The Purbeck Transportation Study also covers road infrastructure issues such as ways to reduce congestion on the A351 through Sandford and improvements to roads leading to the west of Purbeck, in particular the A35 and the road between Bere Regis and Wool.

No decisions on what will happen have been made and county planners are waiting for the results of the public consultation period which ends on Thursday.

Dorset County Council cabinet member for environmental services, Cllr Hilary Cox, said: "We've been out and about across Purbeck since June talking to residents, businesses and visitors.

"Our exhibitions were well-attended - as well as local residents we invited over 70 town and parish councils and other organisations to come along to find out more about the plan.

"With the National Trust we spoke to 1,200 visitors in Studland and Corfe Castle to find out how they think we can reduce congestion."

First published: Sept 27