ANGRY East Dorset residents living near a Bournemouth tip but banned from using it have formed an action group and launched a campaign against the controversial decision.

And council chiefs in East Dorset look set to urge Bournemouth council to reconsider its move, which prevents residents from Longham and West Parley, who live just five minutes away, from using Millhams Lane Household Recycling Centre.

Action group members say they will queue up to use the tip as they always have done and warn that turning them away could cause traffic chaos on already busy roads.

Retired investment manager Colin Hovers, of Parley Close, said: "We've had no official notification that we will not be able to use the tip from September so we will just turn up as normal and if we get turned away, we will leave.

"But that will take time and it doesn't take long for the roads to get clogged up. It could make life very difficult for Bournemouth council."

Mr Hovers, 73, is registered disabled after three heart operations. He said he's unable to use the tip in Wimborne because he cannot climb the steps.

East Dorset District Council is fearful the extra miles some residents will have to travel to dispose of waste could lead to fly-tipping in the area.

An agenda to go before the Policy and Resources committee on September 1 advises councillors to vote in favour of writing to Bournemouth council urging them to reconsider.

It reads: "The majority of residents in the Ferndown and West Parley areas of the district find the Millhams site more convenient because of its location and design. "It is regrettable that Bournemouth Borough Council has decided to prevent residents living outside the borough from using the Millhams site, particularly when Bournemouth residents regularly use the Dorset County Council site in Christchurch."

Amy Dutton, spokesperson for Bournemouth council, said the tip was under increasing pressure: "In order to maintain and improve the service at Millhams tip, the exclusion of those living elsewhere is essential.

"The decision made by Cabinet, which Poole and Dorset County Council were both consulted about before it was made, has been agreed because of the increasing pressure on Millhams Civic site."

She said leaflets informing people of the changes had been distributed to East Dorset residents.

First published: August 28