TRA N S P O R T
Bournemouth: the sixth most congested place in UK, with Christchurch and Poole not far behind. BCP and Dorset Councils are on a mission to make travel for pedestrians and cyclists safer whilst reducing congestion. Bournemouth is currently being cited as the sixth most congested place in the UK according to research conducted by leading SatNav provider Tom Tom. Our area’s unique geography and lack of joined up travel infrastructure has, according to BCP Council led to an overreliance on cars, resulting in slower journey times and poor air quality in some places. The conurbation’s ambitious economic growth plans mean a new sustainable travel infrastructure is vital to help connect people and places in a way that reduces road congestion and also protects the planet. Transforming Travel aims to revolutionise how we all get about by providing safe, environmentally friendly travel alternatives to the car. The planned improvements, which we’re already seeing being implemented across BCP, are part of the ‘Transforming Cities Fund’ which is a multi-million pound investment programme in local sustainable travel. In addition, with its emphasis on sustainability, tackling air quality and the new focus on walking and cycling through the government’s Gear Change initiative, Transforming Travel supports BCP Council’s climate emergency ambition to be carbon neutral by 2030.
Plans for these improvements were developed in conjunction with responses gathered during a public engagement in late 2020 and a later formal consultation which ran 24 February to 31 March 2021. Details of how to be find information and be involved with the consultation were communicated to the public via road signs, in-bus information screen, social media, the council’s website, in Dorset Council’s residents magazine (delivered to residents outside of BCP) and via e-newsletter to BCP residents who subscribed to the council’s Travel e-newsletter. The council did not use its own resident’s magazine BCP News to communicate this important information to local taxpayers, possibly as a result of the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic which meant the council was unable to deliver the magazine to local residents. Our own BH Living residents magazine was however being circulated to over 170,000 local resident’s homes but we received no approaches from the council to include this information in either our Winter 2020 or Spring 2021 editions. The council claim just under 1500 people responded to the consultation. A report summarising the results is available at: www.bcpcouncil.gov.uk/News/News-Features/TransformingTravel/sustainable-travel-network/nts Over the next few editions, BH Living will be looking at the transport improvement plans across the whole of BCP but in this edition we’re looking at the plans to improve the links between Bournemouth and Ferndown which received the most responses during the Council’s consultation process.
Bournemouth to Ferndown route The Bournemouth to Ferndown Sustainable Travel Network plans form part of a mission to provide a safe travel route from Bournemouth to Ferndown for cyclists and pedestrians.
Boundary Road - Ensbury Park Proposals include: New protected two-way cycle track on the southern side of Wallisdown Road, connecting to University Roundabout, with upgraded crossings ew protected two-way cycle track on west side of Boundary Road, with N parking removed at northern end to provide the space ore priority for cyclists and pedestrians on Boundary Road across M adjoining roads Reduction in speed limit from 40mph to 30mph on Boundary Road New crossing points and upgrades to existing crossings ew walking and cycling provisions around Ensbury Park Gyratory, N including new crossing points and cycling link around it, connecting to Redhill Avenue cycle track p to five highway trees may need to be removed opposite Redhill Park U Fire Station, to create space for the cycle track
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