Published on Friday 22 March 2024
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council are asking residents and local businesses to share their thoughts on proposals to deliver several road safety improvements in Bournemouth.
The council has been allocated £1.89million from the Department for Transport (DfT) Safer Roads Fund to implement additional road safety measures in the area, with additional money provided by the Bournemouth Town’s Fund, Better Boscombe regeneration programme too.
A public engagement exercise launches today, Friday 22 March, which aims to gather feedback to help shape plans to further reduce the risks of collisions along the A35 between Iford and St. Paul’s roundabouts, as well as the A3049 Ashley Road and surrounding areas.
As well as road safety, current proposals also focus on improving accessibility for pedestrians and disabled people, with the aim of making the area more inviting and safer for everyone.
These measures include: -
- Additional crossing facilities for pedestrians and people who cycle with footpath widening at St. Swithun’s roundabout and a new contraflow along St Swithun’s Road South.
- New pedestrian crossings and reconfiguration of the existing traffic islands at Christchurch Road roundabout, with new kerb alignments and road markings along Centenary Way and Ashley Road.
- A new crossing on Christchurch Road for pedestrians and school children, with enhanced cycle lanes to protect riders from parked cars and traffic.
- Several junction enhancements to further reduce the risk and severity of collisions and improve pedestrian accessibility.
- Extension of existing 20mph zones in Boscombe to include additional residential roads and sections of the A35 and Ashley Road.
Julian McLaughlin, Director Infrastructure at BCP Council, said: “This section of the A35 was selected by the Department of Transport and the Road Safety Foundation following analysis of many roads across the UK that would benefit from some additional safety measures.
“As part of this, BCP Council used Safer Roads Investment Plan modelling to test possible interventions along 100 metre sections of the A35 to determine where safety could be improved.
“As a council, we have a duty to ensure everyone feels safe when travelling around Bournemouth, Christchurch, and Poole, whether they are walking, cycling, or using other modes of transport.
“Please take a few minutes to complete our survey and share your views on our plans, along with any additional thoughts and ideas you may have.
“No decisions will be made until we’ve analysed all the feedback you share, and it’s this that will shape our road safety work in this area moving forward.”
The closing date for this consultation is 11:59pm on Tuesday 23 April, with the survey now live to complete online here: haveyoursay.bcpcouncil.gov.uk/saferroads
A full report of the findings and outcomes will be presented to ward councillors and transportation officers once the consultation closes.
Decisions will then be made on the projects you would like to see taken forward with the aim of beginning implementation in September.
As well as the survey, there will be two public roadshows taking place at the following locations with paper copies also available:
- Pokesdown & Southbourne Library: Tuesday 16 April, 10am-2pm
- Boscombe Library: Thursday 18 April, 2-7pm
Anyone unable to attend an event who has a question or wants to know more can email: - saferroads@bcpcouncil.gov.uk