First phase of Bournemouth active travel plans completed
Work's been carried out along Glenferness Avenue
The first phase of active travel plans along Bournemouth's Glenferness Avenue's been completed.
Two new bridges over the railway have been opened, to improve safety for cyclists and walkers.
Each of those is four meters wide and 31 metres long, to separate the space from traffic use.
There's also a new toucan crossing, north of East Avenue and some improvements to several road junctions - such as ramps and stepped cycle lanes between Elgin Road and Alyth Road.
It's all aimed at creating a sustainable travel route between Bournemouth town centre and Talbot Woods, Winton and Wallisdown, with future plans for the route to be expanded all the way to Ferndown.
Councillor Andy Hadley, portfolio holder for climate response, environment and energy at BCP Council, said:
“Glenferness Avenue is one of the key routes into the middle of Bournemouth, so these improvements will make a huge difference to everyone trying to get into and out of the town centre, however they’re travelling. The additional bridges mean a previous pinch point is now significantly safer, something which will be particularly welcomed by the local school community and our university students.”
Lauren Cannings, Travel and Transport Manager at Bournemouth University, said:
“Glenferness Avenue has always been a busy commuting route for staff and students travelling to the university's Talbot campus. The previous bridge only had a single footpath for pedestrians and the narrow road lanes made it dangerous for cyclists to share the space.
“The new layout provides several improvements, including a new toucan crossing for safer movements, two bridges either side of the road which are wide enough for both pedestrians and cyclists to share, and dedicated cycle lanes on the approach so riders can safely join the traffic after crossing.
“A number of staff and students have already stopped me to comment on how the works have hugely improved their commute, especially our cycling and walking community who now feel safer travelling along Glenferness Road on their way to and from the campus."
The next phase of sustainable travel improvements on Glenferness Avenue between Talbot roundabout and just south of Elgin Road are now underway and due to finish in the summer.
This work includes new parallel crossings, stepped cycle lanes between Talbot roundabout and Alford Road, more junction safety improvements, and resurfacing of both the road and footways between Talbot roundabout and Alford Road.