New cycleway underway for Wimborne and Colehill The new route should be completed by next autumn
Cyclists will in the future find it easier and safer to travel from Wimborne to the Canford Bottom roundabout. A new 2.3km cycleway will be the start of the first sustainable infrastructure scheme to be built in south east Dorset through Transforming Travel’s £100m+ Transforming Cities Fund. BCP Council and Dorset Council were one of 12 city regions in England to secure a share of the government’s Transforming Cities Fund. Plans include: 1. A new, largely segregated 2.3km two-way cycleway along Leigh Road/Wimborne Road West between the junction with Brook Road and Canford Bottom roundabout. 2. New ‘parallel crossings’ on Leigh Road (west of Old Ham Lane and west of Hayes Lane) allowing both pedestrians and cyclists to cross the road safely. These innovative crossings will be the first of their type in Dorset. 3. Reducing the speed limit from 40mph to 30mph (from Canford Bottom roundabout to Brook Road) to make the road safer for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians. 4. Junction improvements along Leigh Road giving priority to people walking and cycling around the area. 5. Additional green space and planting including new trees. Preparation is now underway and works on the ground, due to start in January and to be completed in autumn 2021, will be delivered by Dorset Council. It will be rolled out in 400 metre sections to minimise disruption to the public. The cycleway will link with existing National Cycle Networks (via the Castleman Trailway) and other proposed Transforming Travel schemes to provide a continuous, network for cyclists wishing to cycle to key destinations in Dorset. Cllr Ray Bryan, portfolio holder for Highways, Travel and Environment at Dorset Council said, “This exciting and much-needed investment in sustainable infrastructure in Wimborne will transform local travel options, connecting people safely to local jobs and education while also helping to reduce carbon emissions. Currently, there is no traffic-free cycle provision along the 40mph Leigh Road. Cyclists must either travel on the busy road – which carries over 12,000 vehicles a day – or illegally use the pavements. The improvements planned at Leigh Road are part of our ambition to make south east Dorset a cleaner, greener, healthier place to live, work, and do business.”
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VIEWPOINT November 2020
Sophie Dean (front left) the head of Sixth Form and Katie Boyes (front right) headteacher with some sixth form students who are applying to Oxbridge
Record Oxbridge applications from QE School Disruption to their schooling hasn’t deterred pupils from Queen Elizabeth’s School in Wimborne applying to go to Oxbridge this year. Three students hope to attend some of the country’s leading conservatoires to read music. The school, which is part of Wimborne Academy Trust (WAT), has other students applying to top universities to study medicine, veterinary science and dentistry. Head of Sixth form Sophie Dean said, “There are seven students applying for Oxbridge, three for leading conservatoires and others hoping to attend other top institutions.
“They have not had the advantages that those from public schools enjoy, but are incredibly determined and have motivated themselves. “We always encourage students to fulfil their potential and to aim as high as they can. “Because of the Covid situation our staff have had to be creative in their teaching since the lockdown but nevertheless have achieved great success. “It is a record year for us and we want to increase the numbers of our students applying for these top universities.”
Mental health support in Ferndown Undoubtedly the worry around COVID-19 is causing many people to have problems with their mental health – but help is available from the Turbary Resource Centre, home of the local charity, The Bus Stop Club and the East Dorset Christians against Poverty (CAP) Centre. The centre is located behind Hope Church off Corbin Avenue on the Heatherlands Estate in Ferndown, BH22 8AE. Susan Sutherland, the charity’s project manager, is a Mental Health First Aid (MHFA England) trainer. She is now running one to one sessions dealing with the Management of Anxiety and Recovery from Trauma (MOAT). These are particularly relevant for those suffering from the effects of the pandemic through isolation, job loss and reduced finances as well as historical trauma, domestic and sexual abuse. On the financial side, Pam Ansell is a trained Debt Coach licensed by CAP to provide a free service to help
clients deal with their unmanageable debt issues. During its seven years in operation 27 clients have been able to work their way to becoming debt-free with the help of Pam’s personal support and the financial expertise of the CAP head office staff in Bradford. Lives have been transformed, relieving the anxiety, depression and in some cases suicidal thoughts resulting from the weight of crippling debt. In addition, the centre runs the free CAP Money Management course for those wishing to learn how to better manage their finances by setting and living within a budget. If you are anxious about your future, call Susan during term time office hours on 07866 692528. These services are funded by donations from individuals, local churches and organisations and by grants from charitable trusts. If you would like to support the centre financially then you can donate online via www.thebusstopclub.co.uk.
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