A MASS protest is being marshalled against Poole council's proposed park-and-ride scheme for Creekmoor.

More than 300 people have lobbied Creekmoor Conservative councillor Judy Butt, demanding a U-turn by the council.

Now an open meeting has been called for Monday next week in the Creekmoor Community Centre for the public's views to be aired.

"I am totally against this ill-conceived, costly and impractical scheme," said Cllr Butt.

"I have spoken to more than 300 angry people and I am now convinced that no one in Creekmoor is happy about these proposals.

"With everyone who approached me it was a 100 per cent thumbs-down for the scheme. This is an issue that's uniting the whole community.

"I have invited council officers and councillors who are involved, but it remains to be seen whether any of them are prepared to turn up. There will be a lot of strong feelings expressed and there won't be much sympathy for the council.

"This is an issue that's not going to go away and the anger is such in Creekmoor that people won't be fobbed off by vague assurances."

Cllr Butt's concerns are shared by the Creekmoor Community Group. Chairman Andy Pedrick said: "We are not against the principle of park-and-ride, but we do believe the positioning on the south side of Creekmoor, access, journey logistics and the security issues will not encourage enough drivers to use the facility.

"The result will be increased traffic through Creekmoor and as there are meetings currently being held to look at traffic-calming measures in Creekmoor, it does seem a little contradictory."

The group's other objections include:

l All access via Creekmoor and none proposed from the dual carriageway.

l No closed circuit TV.

l No toilets.

l Locked from 7pm.

l No bus lane planned for the Holes Bay road.

l To be built on Green Belt land.

l No environmental study yet started.

l Bus schedules inadequate for the demand.

"There are various categories of legal objections that can be raised against this scheme and all seem valid in this respect," added Mr Pedrick.

"Therefore, we strongly urge the council to reconsider the proposals before progressing with this further."