Much to the dismay of the long-suffering commuters of Bournemouth, major improvement works are set to start at Wallisdown Road from Monday the 19th of August.
The road will remain open with traffic signals in place but delays are inevitable for a long and sure-to-be frustrating period of five months. The works include:
- Widening of the existing southern footway to 4m to provide a shared cycle facility.
- Resurfacing of the footways.
- Installation of two new crossings and the upgrade of two existing pedestrian crossings.
- Improved bus laybys and waiting facilities.
BCP Council claim the works will be worth it and will bring about easier, safer and more attractive travel options for road users.
24,000 vehicles use Wallisdown Road daily so it is a key commuter route. Last year more than 3,000 people had their say on current travel issues in the area where responses highlighting the need for improved road condition, new cycle routes and improvements to pedestrian access and bus facilities were made.
Councillor Andy Hadley, Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Transport and Infrastructure commented: “BCP Council is committed to improving the roads and transport links across all three towns. Wallisdown Road is one of the main routes connecting our area and the surface is worn out. It is vital that we undertake these works to ease traffic flow and provide enhanced bus and cycle links and pedestrian paths, catering for all who use it.”
Funding for the constructions will be from the Local Transport Plan (LTP) capital programme, the National Productivity Investment Fund and Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership’s Growth Deal Fund.
Councillor Hadley went on to say that: “These initial improvements will start an important programme of works, creating a more accessible route for the future.”
Ominously, the works are being dubbed as ‘stage one’ of the Wallisdown Improvement Works.
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