Published on Tuesday 16 March 2021
Creating a transport infrastructure network fit for a modern 21stcentury city region is the overarching ambition for Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole after significant Local Transport Plan investment for 2021/22 was approved by Cabinet.
New capital improvements worth £3.5 million will be made in travel safety measures, improved bus facilities and road network improvements (such as the development of the Wallisdown West corridor), whilst more than £4 million will be spent on highway maintenance projects including road resurfacing, drainage, bridge repair and street lighting.
The investment will complement ongoing resurfacing works already made possible by BCP Council’s successful £4 million Challenge Fund bid last year, the benefits of which have recently been seen in locations such as Somerford Roundabout in Christchurch.
The LTP capital spending is also additional to the council’s existing Transforming Travel initiatives, which alone represents around £41 million of investment in transport infrastructure over the next 12 months. Funded by the government’s Transforming Cities’ and Active Travel Funds, Transforming Travel aims to provide people with greener, healthier and better-connected travel choices.
Councillor Mike Greene, Portfolio Holder for Transport & Sustainability, said:
"Investment in first rate infrastructure is a key objective in our Big Plan commitments and I am pleased to see the LTP investment planned for our highway network for 2021/22. This is one of a number of funding streams we are using to invest and improve how we all travel and as we emerge from the challenges of the pandemic, we want to harness the potential of our coastline of opportunity and make BCP a modern city region where people and businesses want to be. The quality of our travel network is central to this aim.
"The LTP capital programme will build upon the significant improvements to our local transport network that are already in progress: from making sustainable options such as walking, cycling and travelling by bus more appealing, to improving road surfaces and reducing congestion. I am particularly pleased that we have significant funding for travel safety measures and 25% more for work on public transport alternatives to the car than last year. We have also allocated £50,000 to the Business Travel Network in recognition that travel and transport is not just an issue for the council in isolation."
The 2021/22 Local Capital Transport Plan Capital Programme will be subject to approval from full council on 23 March.
For more information on Transforming Travel, please visit: www.transformingtravel.info