Work on a major investment in bus, walking, cycling and road improvements including resurfacing along the A3049/B3068 Ringwood Road in Poole, between Hunt Road and Mountbatten Roundabout starts on 2 September.
Funded by a £17.5 million grant secured from central government’s Transforming Cities Fund, Ringwood Road, which is operating at maximum traffic capacity with thousands of motorised vehicles using it daily, will benefit from a range of upgrades to improve safety, encourage active travel and reduce traffic congestion.
The planned improvements include two new bus lanes, 23 side road junction enhancements, the reconstruction of Sea View Road junction, upgraded bus stop shelters at 19 locations, 4.5km of road resurfacing and 1.8km of improved pavements. A new 2.7km two-way cycle track will also be installed, along with new and/or improved toucan, zebra and parallel crossings.
The above will connect existing sustainable travel routes into Poole, Wallisdown, Talbot Woods and Bournemouth, with future plans for the route to link all the way to Ferndown and Wimborne. The initiative is further evidence of the Council’s commitment to decarbonise its transport network by providing facilities to help meet its target of 50% of local journeys being made by walking, wheeling, cycling or public transport by 2030.
Councillor Andy Hadley, Portfolio Holder for Climate Response, Environment and Energy at BCP Council, said:
“Ringwood Road in Poole is one of our region’s busiest roads with traffic volumes at saturation point. It’s a key travel route serving several business and retail parks, two hospitals, Bournemouth University, Arts University Bournemouth, many primary and secondary schools and Poole town centre.
“These ambitious and major improvements will transform travel options and improve journeys for everyone, connecting people to key destinations through sustainable, modern infrastructure.
“The new bus lanes will help bus services run reliably and efficiently, and the new and improved walking, wheeling and cycling facilities will help children, students, the local workforce and residents travel to and from school, university, work and the town centre safely.
“Collectively these measures will encourage more people to walk, wheel or use public transport, freeing up the roads for those that really need to use them.
“We’re proud this major financial investment from central government will help us tackle climate change by reducing local traffic congestion, improving air quality and promoting healthier lifestyles.
“I’d like to thank everyone in advance for their patience while this major work is undertaken and look forward to the long term environmental, health and economic benefits these travel improvements will bring to the whole community.”
Richard Wade, Morebus general manager, said:
“We are excited by the prospect of this project being completed. It is testament to our excellent partnership with BCP Council, which has also led to route improvements, a new fleet of low emissions buses, and an increase in the number of passengers travelling with us across the region.
“Crucially, this latest initiative will give our buses priority over other traffic – much of which includes single occupancy vehicles. This, in turn, will help reduce congestion across our area.
“There will be no gain without pain during the construction period, but we have dates in the diary to engage with our partners at BCP Council to ensure delays to buses are mitigated – and we will be sure to feed information back as the scheme progresses.
“We urge car users to avoid sitting in traffic that they are part of, if other modes of transport can work. Travelling by bus allows work and other tasks to be completed whilst on the move, saving time in the office.
“Active travel comes with many health benefits and is an excellent opportunity to exercise – even for those with limited time. Both of these travel choices avoid contributing to additional congestion – which affects our local economy adversely.”
The work will be undertaken in phases to minimise disruption.
Construction starts on 2 September with the entire programme of work expected to be completed in 2026:
| Phase 1:Sea View Road to Balston RoadAlderney Roundabout to Mountbatten Roundabout | autumn 2024 to spring 2025 (est.) |
| Phase 2:Balston Road to Hunt RoadAlderney Roundabout to Mannings Heath Road | 2025 |
| Phase 3:Sea View Road to Old Wareham Road Roundabout | 2025/26 |
| Phase 4:Old Wareham Road Roundabout to Mannings Heath Road | 2025/26 |
Public drop-in events about the planned work are being held from 2pm to 7pm on Wednesday 14 August and Wednesday 18 September at The Newtown, 374 Ringwood Road, Poole BH12 3LT.
These major travel improvements will inevitably cause disruption during construction and the council will do all that it can to minimise the impact of the roadworks and provide advance notice to affected local residents, businesses and organisations.
Full details of all the improvements and associated traffic management are available via bcpcouncil.gov.uk/ringwood-road.
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