Improved greener travel options linking Bournemouth and Christchurch with the installation of new and upgraded cycle paths and footpaths though Kings Park started in July 2021.

It forms part of an 8km sustainable travel route between Bournemouth railway station and Jumpers Common in Christchurch that will connect key residential and employment areas including Bournemouth town centre, Royal Bournemouth Hospital, the Law Courts, JP Morgan, Wessex Fields and the Littledown Centre. 

What is happening:

The work is being carried out in three phases.

Phase one - Harewood Avenue: completed 

• Installation of a new, raised toucan crossing on Harewood Avenue near the roundabout links the cycle and walking path and provides dedicated space for pedestrians and cyclists
• The existing toucan crossing and speed cushions further south east on Harewood Avenue have been removed
• Extension of the 20mph zone covering all arms of the roundabout onto Harewood Avenue, Littledown Avenue and Harewood Crescent

 

New toucan crossing on Harewood Avenue, Kings Park

Phase two - Ashley Road to Harewood Avenue: completed 

New route includes:

• A new, separate cycle path installed next to the existing footpath between the Vitality Stadium and Harewood Avenue. This has put in place a 2m wide footpath and a 3m wide two-way cycle path, separated by an area of wildflower planting where space allows
• A new separate 3m wide two-way cycle path and 2m wide footpath separated by an area of wildflower planting has been installed alongside Kings Park Bowling Green
• Improved cycle and walking facility alongside the car park by the Vitality Stadium
• A new informal raised crossing has been installed over Kings Park Drive between the car park at the Vitality Stadium and Kings Park Bowling Green to slow traffic and provide a safer area for pedestrians and cyclists to cross
• Improvements to the old lighting have been made and new lighting has been installed through the park to improve safety and security
• New wayfinding signage will be installed
• Disabled parking spaces have been relocated from the eastern side of the cricket pavilion and café to the Ashley Road side of the building.  This has allowed space for the construction of a new improved access ramp to the cricket pavilion and café
• Installation of new larger raised crossing, improved pedestrian facilities and cycle parking facilities outside the café
• Changing some parking bay locations on Kings Park Drive to create safe access along the new cycle track.  Bollards have been installed on the existing line-marked cycle lane on King’s Park Drive to prevent vehicles from parking within it

The new Kings Park walking and cycling route

Phase three

This final stage is currently under design and consideration. More news about the layout and delivery will be published on this page as soon as this is available. 

Public consultation

Plans for these improvements were informed by responses gathered during public engagement late 2020 and formal consultation which ran 24 February to 31 March 2021. A report summarising the results is available here and the response to issues raised is here. There was overall support for the plans with more than two thirds of respondents (67%) agreeing with the proposed changes. The plans for separate cycling and walking paths were particularly popular.  All responses were analysed and helped shape the final scheme designs.

Click here to view the design plan.

For more information on the Bournemouth railway station and Jumpers Common in Christchurch click here.