A BOURNEMOUTH councillor has hit out at further delays to a project that would provide a new route across the River Stour and benefit hundreds of people.

Cllr Ron Whittaker says he is disappointed that another site visit is required – and will not happen before July.

If an access route was created from Throop in Bournemouth to Hurn in Christchurch it would provide a cycling, walking and horse link.

The Connect2 project would also allow around 120 horses and their riders to get access to the Stour valley on the Bournemouth side, because at the moment they can only access the area by busy roads to Stour Acres.

In autumn 2007 Sustrans won a significant grant from the Big Lottery fund.

The county council has also earmarked up to £275,000 towards the scheme, and Route 2 was the preferred option for the majority of people consulted.

But at Dorset County Council’s latest roads and rights-of-way committee, councillors said they would have to visit the site before deciding whether to sign a memorandum of understanding between Bournemouth council, Sustrans and Dorset County Council.

This will secure the funding from the Big Lottery and confirm Route 2 as the preferred option.

A council spokesman said the site visit would take place in July at the earliest because of elections in June.

Councillors were also told that the scheme could qualify for funding from a number of external sources but applications cannot be made until the estimated costs are known.

Councillor Whittaker, who represents Throop and Muscliff, warned that if a decision is not made soon they could lose out on the funding.

“How many more visits?” he said. “After two years going for a lottery bid, winning £300,000 and they are still talking and time is up.”

At a meeting hosted by Bournemouth council last month, groups could not agree on what path the scheme should take and sent their views to the county council.

Route 2 is the preferred option by the majority and requires an upgrade of the existing footbridge at Throop Mill weir. The route joins the public highway at Dales Lane near Adventure Wonderland.