Boscombe’s town centre will soon undergo improvements to support the Council’s Backing Boscombe initiative, to make the area a more attractive and vibrant place to live, work and visit.
Starting this month (15 September) the Three Towns Travel improvements will take place along Palmerston Road and Christchurch Road and on their approach towards the precinct. In a bid to ease congestion and enhance the environment, the improvements will:
- make changes on the approach roads to slow traffic speed by reducing road space and increasing width of pavements
- emphasise key crossing points across traffic routes using contrasting materials and colours
- remove all unnecessary street furniture and clutter
- create a shared space area designed to integrate with the shopping precinct
- manage on-street parking and relocate bus stops to reduce unnecessary congestion
- open up all entry points to the precinct to make it a more welcoming area
- relocate signal-controlled accessible crossing to outside The Royal Arcade.
Councillor Michael Filer, Cabinet Member for Transport, said: “Businesses, residents and visitors have been asking for further improvements to regenerate the town centre for some time and I am delighted that through Three Towns Travel we are able to make this happen.
“The works will aim to vastly improve travelling in and around Boscombe making it easier, safer and more attractive for pedestrians and cyclists.”
One of the key elements to the works is the introduction of a ‘shared space’ at the Western end of the Precinct in a bid to improve and open up the Precinct, reduce traffic speed and ease congestion whilst improving access for cyclists and pedestrians. This will see the removal of railings, traffic lights, reduced road markings and the introduction of an attractive blocked paved section with narrowed lanes to slow down traffic and reduce crossing distances for pedestrians.
Boscombe West councillor and Cabinet member for Partnerships and Regeneration, Jane Kelly, said: “This is a fantastic and innovative scheme. When finished and combined with the work we are doing to the precinct as part of our Boscombe Regeneration, it will bring major improvements to the area and will make it a more pleasant experience for shoppers.”
Works on the ground are being co-ordinated to cause minimum disruption to residents, businesses and the travelling public. Whilst some disruption is expected, the work programme has been designed to minimise delays, avoid road closures, and limit the impact on nearby properties.
An information leaflet detailing the works will be available to pick up at Boscombe Library and regular updates will be provided at www.threetownstravel.co.uk
The works are being funded from additional government grants to improve sustainable travel options and are expected to finish in March 2015.
