A councillor claims people in his south Bristol ward are being kept in the dark about plans for a new ring road link.

Tim Kent (Lib Dem, Whitchurch Park) says they have not been properly consulted by the West of England Partnership, which is responsible for strategic transport projects.

He is now delivering a letter to around 4,000 households, telling residents how they can take part in the consultation process.

He says he asked a senior Bristol City Council officer for 4,000 copies of the partnership's consultation leaflet and was refused.

The partnership – made up four local councils, including Bristol – wants to link Hartcliffe with the Long Ashton bypass.

No precise route is being proposed yet. But the partnership is seeking views on the general principle of a road link – and whether a rapid transit bus link should be included.

Exhibitions showing people what is planned were staged in November.

The staffed displays were in Hartcliffe, in Long Ashton and in Ashton Vale. Unstaffed events were held at other venues, including the @Symes building, in Hartcliffe and Bishopsworth Library.

"None of this was in my ward, and no one told people in Whitchurch Park that these events were being held. But they will be affected," Councillor Kent told the Bristol Post.

"Like it or hate it, the idea of a ring road link is a really important issue to people in south Bristol.

"I just want to make sure that the residents of my ward get a chance to respond and have their views taken into account.

"I was amazed and shamed that the council refused to allow copies of the document to go out to local residents who will be directly affected by these proposals."

When Mr Kent asked the city council official for copies of the leaflet, they emailed him to say: "Pamphlets were not printed for distribution to every household as all the information is available to all at no cost on the website."

With help from friends, Mr Kent is braving the cold weather to deliver his letter, explaining how to access the consultation process, to 4,000 homes over the next few days. The consultation period ends on January 30.

The councillor believes up to 80 per cent (four in five) of local people are against a ring road, partly because its route could divide communities.

"But whether they support it or object to it, I want them to be able to have their say," he said.

The leaflet produced by the partnership to give people an opportunity to comment on the options says: "We are near the start of a long process and will keep people informed as we progress this project.

"Next year we shall carefully consider comments received and carry out more work looking at environmental issues, as well as examining costs and benefits of the different options in more detail.

"We shall identify the preferred option emerging from this work."

Julia Dean, of the West of England Partnership, said: “It’s a shame the councillor didn’t go to the organisation which was running the consultation.

“The partnership, specifically its North Somerset and Bristol areas, is doing this because the south Bristol link is so important to the regeneration, growth and development of these two areas.

“News of the consultation exercise has been in the Evening Post and we have been out to specific community groups as well.

“The officers involved in consultation have been in touch with councillors. As a councillor, Mr Kent will have been keep informed.”

City council spokeswoman Kate Hartas said: “Councillor Kent was provided with a West of England contact for the consultation when he was invited to briefings and this would have been the correct contact to discuss the consultation with.”

It is unlikely work would start before 2013 and there would be further public consutlation before planning permission was granted, says the leaflet.

For more information, says the partnership, contact transport@westofengland.org or call 0800 019 3235.