PROPOSALS to increase toll charges on the Sandbanks Ferry have been slammed as "outrageous" by a Purbeck councillor.

Corfe Castle Parish Council member Steve Clarke has described the move as "bad news for residents, employment, visitors and the ferry itself."

The councillor, who is urging residents to write to the Department for Transport to voice opposition to the price hike, explained: "A Swanage resident who buys a book of tickets a week will pay an extra £21 a week by 2022.

"More people will not pay the increased charge and travel round the long way.

"It will add to the congestion on the road from Poole to Swanage and increase pollution. Local businesses will suffer as day visitors from Bournemouth will be deterred.

"The ferry company is short sighted as fewer will travel as fares go up."

Earlier this year ferry operator, Bournemouth-Swanage Motor Road and Ferry Company, submitted an application to the Department for Transport to raise fares.

If approved the foot passenger and cycle charge would double to £2, with car tolls increasing to £6 and HGV and buses costing £12.

Currently, cars travel for £4.30, while buses and HGVs travel for £8.60.

Cllr Clarke said: "Corfe Castle Parish Council has already decided to object to the Secretary of State for Transport and I urge local residents to do the same by April."

Meanwhile, Purbeck District Council (PDC) has already voiced concerns about the proposed price increases.

A PDC spokesman explained: "The ferry is an essential service for a great number of residents on the Isle of Purbeck, both for travel to work and leisure.

"We recognise the need for the service to be viable in the long term in order to safeguard it, but prices also need to be affordable for the people who are dependent on the ferry."

The ferry company says the price rise is necessary to meet increased running costs. They have also pointed out that eventually the ferry will need to be replaced, which will cost a significant sum of money.

A notice advertising the increase says anyone having a "substantial interest" may object to the application up until April 3 by giving notice via email to nationalcasework@dft.gsi.gov.uk or in writing to the Secretary of State at the Department for Transport.