Transport News

Transforming Travel around BCP

The way we travel across our Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole is about to be transformed with BCP Council working hard on improvements to the way people travel in the area by giving access to greener and healthier travel choices. The idea behind the Transforming Travel Programme is to make walking and cycling more attractive for shorter journeys and help reduce traffic and carbon emissions locally. The BCP region regularly suffers from traffic congestion, which is largely due to the lack of joined up travel infrastructure. Over time this has led to the over-reliance on cars to travel. This in turn, the council claim is creating slower journeys and an increase in emissions that lead to poorer air quality. Transforming Travel aims to provide safe and environmentally friendly alternatives to cars in order to reduce traffic and road journey times. With new infrastructure making travel more accessible, the council’s hope is that the new focus on walking, cycling and public transport will make BCP a safer place to travel for all, whilst also improving our air quality. Over the next year, we’ll see changes across the area as part of the TCF (Transforming Cities Fund) and the LCWIP (Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan). More info on the Transforming Travel Plan can be found here: www.bcpcouncil.gov.uk/News/News-Features/ Transforming-Travel/transforming-travel.aspx

Whitelegg Way – Bournemouth – new cycleway forming part of a longer route between Merley and Christchurch

A new cycleway forming part of the 13km sustainable travel route between Merley and Christchurch started on 17 May and is expected to last around 20 weeks. The construction is underway between the Redhill and Northbourne roundabouts. The work in progress is listed from BCP Council below. Work includes:

A new, dedicated (segregated from traffic) 850m cycle track along both sides of Whitelegg Way

Reducing the speed limit from 40mph to 30mph along Whitelegg Way to make the road safer for drivers and cyclists

Changing how vehicles can use the junction between Wimborne Road (known as the slip road) and Whitelegg Way. Vehicles will no longer be able to turn left from Wimborne Road onto Whitelegg Way. Vehicles will continue to be able to turn right.

Traffic lights at the Whitelegg Way/Wimborne Road will be upgraded to provide a head start for cyclists in front of vehicles when lights turn green

Upgraded pedestrian and cycle-controlled crossing with improved pedestrian and cycle detection at Northbourne roundabout to improve pedestrian and cycle connectivity and reduce wait times for buses and cars.

Bus stop improvements including new shelters and real time information along Wimborne service road.

New wayfinding/directional signage. The work that started on the 17th May is expected to continue until the Autumn and will have temporary traffic management measures in place: The northbound road on Whitelegg Way will be closed for the duration of the works and traffic will be diverted along the adjacent Wimborne Road. On-street parking along Wimborne Road will be temporarily suspended to facilitate traffic flows on the diversion route. More info found here https://www.bcpcouncil. gov.uk/News/News-Features/Transforming-Travel/ sustainable-travel-network/Whitelegg-WayBournemouth.aspx

Upper Gardens Cycle and Walking Improvements

A sustainable travel route linking Bournemouth Centre and Ferndown is under construction in Upper Gardens, improving the walking and cycle routes in the area. More info can be found here www.bcpcouncil. gov.uk/News/News-Features/Transforming-Travel/ sustainable-travel-network/Upper-Gardens-Cycleand-Walking-Improvements.aspx

Wallisdown Road West Improvement

Improvements are being made to the Wallisdown area’s infrastructure with safety and more walking and cycle opportunities in mind. These improvements are being made as part of the Wallisdown Corridor improvement plan from Mountbatten Arms roundabout to Bryant Road Junction. The work will be set in multiple phases to minimise any impact on local residents and businesses. These phases are as listed from BCP Council.

Introduce new controlled crossings near Sunnymoor

Road and reposition the existing crossings at Discovery

Court and Canford Avenue

Install protected cycleways and footpaths along the majority of the route with priority across side roads

Improve the footpaths along the corridor and narrowing the side roads crossings to improve safety

Support bus travel with better stops, waiting areas, shelters and live passenger information points

Reduce the speed limit to 30mph, ensuring lower vehicle speeds and create a safer environment for all road users

Create a more attractive area for residents with tree planting and landscaping. Work began in November 2020 with some of the changes already in place. The new protected cycleways and footpaths are being installed and are hoped to improve sustainable travel in the area by encouraging more walkers and cyclists while also reducing road traffic. The most recent phase to be completed involves resurfacing the road over several areas. The areas that have been worked on are:

East of Benbow Crescent to Lyon Road (Discovery Court entrance)

Lyon Road (Discovery Court entrance) to Leyland Road

Leyland Road to Mountbatten Roundabout

Benbow Crescent west junction, to Lyon Road (Discovery

Court entrance), and the Leyland Road junction Some of the work has been delayed due to utility repairs and supply of construction materials but measures to keep the roads open both ways have been set in place with more people on the roads after lockdown restrictions were lifted. The current work phase is aimed to be completed as soon as possible before the busiest parts of the summer period. More information can be found here https:// www.bournemouth.gov.uk/travelandtransport/ projectsconsultationslocaltransportplans/ projectsconsultations/wallisdown-road/ wallisdown-road-west-improvement-scheme.aspx

Artist’s impression of how the changes will look

King’s Park Cycle and Walking improvements – new cycleways and footpaths

Improved greener travel options are linking Bournemouth and Christchurch with the new cycle and footpaths being installed through King’s Park in late July. This will form part of an 8km sustainable travel route between Bournemouth railway station and Jumpers Common in Christchurch connecting residential and employment areas such as Bournemouth town centre, Royal Bournemouth Hospital, the Law Courts, JP Morgan, Wessex fields and Littledown Centre. The work will be split into 3 phases as listed by BCP Council below.

Phase one (end July to early September 2021) - Harewood Avenue

Installation of a new, raised toucan crossing on Harewood Avenue near the roundabout will link the cycle and walking path and provide dedicated space for pedestrians and cyclists. The existing toucan crossing and speed cushions further south east on Harewood Avenue will be removed

Extension of the 20mph zone covering all arms of the roundabout onto Harewood Avenue, Littledown Avenue and Harewood Crescent

Phase two (Sept 2021 to spring 2022) - Ashley Road to Harewood Avenue

A new, separate cycle path will be installed next to the existing footpath between the Vitality Stadium and Harewood Avenue. This will create a 2m wide footpath and a 3m wide two-way cycle path, separated by an area of wildflower planting where space allows

A new informal raised crossing will be installed over King’s Park Drive between the car park at AFCB Vitality Stadium and Kings Park Bowling Green to slow traffic and provide a safer area for pedestrians to cross

A new separate 3m wide two-way cycle path and 2m wide footpath separated by an area of wildflower planting will be installed alongside Kings Park Bowling Green. Installation of new lighting to improve safety and security

New wayfinding signs

Disabled parking spaces will be relocated from the eastern side of Kings Park café closer to the Ashley Road entrance to improve access to the cricket pavilion

Changing parking bay locations on King’s Park Drive to create safe access along the cycle track through Kings Park. Bollards will be installed on the existing line-marked cycle lane on King’s Park Drive to prevent vehicles from parking within it

Artist’s impression of how the changes will look

Phase three (estimated start/completion dates spring 2022 to Autumn 2022) - Harewood Avenue to Sevenoaks Drive

Improvements to the existing shared use cycle and walking path between Kings Park and Cowell Drive, including widening where required, and vegetation clearance

Other existing cycle and walking paths on the eastern side of Kings Park will be widened and resurfaced

Installation of new lighting to improve safety and security More info can be found here www.bcpcouncil. gov.uk/News/News-Features/Transforming-Travel/ sustainable-travel-network/Kings-Park-Cycle-andWalking-Improvements.aspx