BOURNEMOUTH Borough Council have responded after protests were staged outside the controversial A338-Wessex Fields stakeholders' meeting.

Campaigners from Townsend and Holdenhurst Village held the demonstration outside the meeting at the Village Hotel, after feeling they had been "excluded" from it.

Friends of Riverside Co-ordinator Conor O’Luby attended the meeting, despite not being invited.

Ian Kalra, Head of Transport at the council, said: "The purpose of the meeting was for invited businesses and large employers, who are likely to be affected by the works, to be kept informed of the latest plans surrounding Wessex Fields and also Blackwater Junction improvements which start in September.

“By doing so they can then can make plans within their organisations about how they will manage their businesses around the construction as it happens and also keep their staff up to date. Mr O'Luby, who represents a residents group, was not among the invitees but was allowed to stay and he asked a number of questions which were answered.

"Residents were previously invited to a number of public exhibitions about the schemes held earlier this Spring which were well attended and widespread feedback received. A further programme of proactive communications activity will be starting in mid-July aimed at making people aware of what is happening at Blackwater and also, around the plans for Wessex Fields. We would encourage people to stay up to date by signing up to the blog at A338.info."