Work on improving walking and cycling through Upper Gardens is underway and forms part of the 14km sustainable travel route linking Bournemouth centre to Ferndown.

What is happening:

Work in Upper Gardens is split into two phases:

Phase 1: complete

The first phase of the Upper Gardens improvement works has finished. It included:

• widening and resurfacing the existing cycle/footpath through the gardens from the Square, along the south-west side of Upper Gardens to the entrance on Prince of Wales Road
• better night-time lighting to improve security
• improved wayfinding and signage

Watch this video to see the improvements:

Phase 2:

The second phase of the Upper Gardens improvement works will include:

• widening of the existing footway on the eastern side of Prince of Wales Road and Queens Road, creating shared space for pedestrians and cyclists, with new crossing points on both roads
• new crossings on Branksome Wood Road near its junctions with Prince of Wales Road and Queens Road to allow pedestrians and cyclists to cross safely

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.