A BOURNEMOUTH councillor is making waves with his idea to solve the town's congestion problems - water taxis.

Cllr Philip Stanley-Watts, who represents Boscombe West, believes council transport chiefs are not making the most of the town's seaside location.

And he is calling for the council to consider introducing a commuter boat service between Bournemouth and Boscombe piers, and possibly Swanage and the Isle of Wight.

He said: "I think it could work. The councils from the different areas would have to work together but I think it is workable.

"Officers don't think it is completely feasible but I'm going to pursue the idea and hope to bring it to a council committee. We've got to find some way of getting people out of their cars and this could really help. The sea is there, it makes sense to use it."

The council believes it would be difficult to make the scheme pay for itself and instead are encouraging commuters to use other, more traditional, forms of transport.

Between Bournemouth and Boscombe, they recommend people cycle along Undercliff Road, catch the land train, take a bus or walk from pier to pier.

And officers point out that there is little commuter demand between the Isle of Wight and Dorset and that a boat trip from Bournemouth to Swanage would take at least as long as the trip by bus.

Richard Barnes, public transport co-ordinator, said: "Officers have considered the idea of water taxis but do not believe that it is practical to look at introducing this type of service or that there would be sufficient demand.

"To ease the town's traffic congestion, we all need to consider reducing our car journeys by using other methods of transport such as walking, cycling or using the bus."

First published: Sept 9