Darbys Lane
Work on walking and cycling improvements along Darbys Lane, from the New Inn junction to Trigon Road, started in January 2024. It forms part of a sustainable travel route between Poole town centre and Merley and will link into the sustainable travel route on Wimborne Road between New Inn junction and Serpentine roundabout.
About the plans
The following improvements are planned:
- Widening of shared use path and vegetation clearance leading to Trigon Bridge. Introduction of double yellow lines (subject to a Traffic Regulation Order) and dropped kerbs to improve access to the shared path.
- Installation of a raised table across the Darbys Lane/ Heath Avenue/ Popes Road junction to help lower vehicle speeds. Widening of footways and introduction of uncontrolled crossings on all arms of the junction to make it safer and easier for pedestrians to navigate the junction.
- New wayfinding signage installed along the length of the route.
- Installation of a raised table and parallel crossing on the eastern arm of the Darbys Lane/ Dorchester Road junction to encourage lower vehicle speeds and provide a separate space for pedestrians and cyclists. Installation of a small section of cycle lane on Darbys Lane to make it safer and easier for cyclists to navigate the junction.
- Footway widening near Oakdale Community Park to install uncontrolled crossings to make it safer and easier for pedestrians to cross the road and encourage lower vehicle speeds.
Some elements of the proposals remain subject to the outcome of a separate legal process. A Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) was advertised and consulted on in July 2023 proposing:
Double yellow lines (subject to a Traffic Road Order) and raised tables at:
- Junction of Darbys Lane/Heath Avenue/Popes Road
- Junction of Darbys Lane/Dorchester Road
Double yellow lines (subject to a Traffic Road Order) at:
- The two new uncontrolled crossing points near Oakdale Community Park
- Northern end of Trigon Road
Parallel crossing on a raised table at:
- Dorchester Road, on the eastern arm of junction with Darbys Lane
Click below to view detailed general arrangement drawings of the plans:
- Darby’s Lane buildout south
- Dorchester Road/Darby’s Lane junction
- Heath Avenue/Darby’s Lane junction
- Trigon Road
Traffic management
To facilitate road resurfacing works at the Dorchester Road/Darbys Lane junction, a full road closure will be in place on the following dates and times:
- Monday 15 April, 9am-6pm
- Tuesday 16 April, 8am-6pm
- Wednesday 17 April, 8am-2pm
A single lane road closure will be in place on Thursday and Friday (18 and 19 April).
The following temporary traffic management will also be in place until mid-April:
- Darbys Lane – road closed to all vehicles from south of its junction with Dorchester Road to its junction with Waverley Crescent.=
- Darbys Lane – road closed to all vehicles from north of its junction with Dorchester Road to outside Nos. 28/30
- Dorchester Road – road closed to all vehicles in an eastbound direction only from its junction of Wimborne Road to its junction with Brampton Road
Diversion routes will be signposted. Localised parking suspension will also be in place.
All closures will be removed by 6pm on Friday 20 April and the Dorchester Road/Darbys Lane junction will be open as usual.
Public consultation
Public consultation was held on the route in February – March 2021.
In addition, having analysed the responses, we have published a responses to issues raised document, which you can view here.
