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Wednesday, February 12, 2025
HomeDorset EastMajor investment into Stour Valley

Major investment into Stour Valley

Residents and visitors to Stour Valley will find it easier to enjoy nature and wildlife along this popular route if further plans to improve access are given the go ahead.

At this week’s Bournemouth Borough Council Cabinet meeting on Wednesday 15 October, members will be asked to approve the first phase of the Stour Valley Master plan.

The project, which aims to improve access along the Stour Valley corridor between Hengistbury Head Nature Reserve and Millhams Mead Nature Reserve, will focus on the section between Hengistbury Head to Tuckton as part of phase one.

If approved, work along this section of Stour Valley will include:

  • Better signage, gateways and entrances
  • Improved route surfaces and accessibility
  • Greater viewing opportunities through to Christchurch Harbour and Hengistbury Head
  • Greater awareness of the Stour Valley trail

Work to improve the Stour Valley corridor has already been completed between Muscliff and Throop with a new shared route for walkers and cyclists. This includes new gates and a new path surface that increases visibility and accessibility for cyclists, walkers and disabled users. Additional works have stabilised the riverbank further upriver, replacing the old board walk and carrying out path improvements to secure this important local byway.

These improvements support the Council’s efforts to provide better options for sustainable travel and make cycling and walking safer, easier and more attractive. The Stour Valley Local Nature Reserve is a popular wildlife spotting area; kingfishers, dragonflies, and butterflies are regularly seen and even the elusive otter has occasionally been observed.

Councillor Lawrence Williams, Cabinet Member for tourism, leisure and culture, said:

“The Stour Valley corridor is very popular with residents and visitors, so it’s vital that we make sure the route along here is more accessible so that it can be enjoyed in years to come. We want everyone to have the chance to explore and experience the nature and wildlife which we are so lucky to have in Bournemouth.”

Councillor Michael Filer, Cabinet Member for Transport, Cleansing and Waste, said:

“We are really pleased to have been able to complete the path and open up the area near Muscliff and Throop for everyone to use. Cycling and walking are great ways to get out and explore, whilst keeping healthy and offers visitors an opportunity to escape the hustle and bustle of the town centre.”

The improvements outlined for phase one of the Stour Valley Masterplan will enable the heathland to be protected by providing better alternatives for visitors to enjoy spaces away from these sensitive sites. With approximately 1 million visitors per year to Hengistbury Head, even a change of one per cent of visitor behaviour can divert ten thousand visits away.

The planned works between Hengistbury Head and Tuckton will cost £575,000 and is being funded from Heathland Mitigation, a charge specifically levied on developers to minimise their impact on internationally important habitats in South East Dorset. The completed bank stabilisation works at Muscliff were also funded from Heathland Mitigation. The completed shared route between Muscliff Arboretum and Throop was funded through the Local Sustainable Transport Fund (LSTF).

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