We are delighted to announce that preparation work for a 2.3km cycleway in Wimborne and Colehill has commenced. This marks the start of the first sustainable infrastructure scheme to be built in south east Dorset through Transforming Travel’s £100m+ Transforming Cities Fund.
Dorset Council and BCP Council were one of 12 city regions in England to secure a share of the government’s Transforming Cities Fund based on its commitment to driving economic growth through investment in public sustainable transport. It forms a major part of the region’s Transforming Travel programme promoting sustainable travel.
New cycleways and walking improvements
A series of walking and cycling improvements along Leigh Road and Wimborne Road West will enable more sustainable journeys and expand the travel choices available to people living and working in the area. Plans include:
- a new, largely segregated* 2.3km two-way cycleway along Leigh Road/Wimborne Road West between the junction with Brook Road and Canford Bottom roundabout which will provide a protected route for people on bikes
- new ‘parallel crossings’ on Leigh Road (west of Old Ham Lane and west of Hayes Lane) allowing both pedestrians and cyclists to cross the road safely. These innovative crossings will be the first of their type in the Dorset Council area
- reducing the speed limit from 40mph to 30mph (from Canford Bottom roundabout to Brook Road) to make the road safer for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians.
- junction improvements along Leigh Road giving priority to people walking and cycling around the area
- additional green space and planting including new trees
Works due to start in January 2021
Work on the ground, due to start in January and complete in Autumn 2021, will be delivered by us, Dorset Council. It will be rolled out in 400 metre sections to minimise disruption to the public.
Linking National Cycle Networks
The cycleway will link with existing National Cycle Networks (via the Castleman Trailway) and other proposed Transforming Travel schemes to provide a continuous, attractive network for cyclists wishing to cycle to key destinations in Dorset.
“Cleaner, greener, healthier place“
Councillor Ray Bryan, Portfolio Holder for Highways, Travel and Environment at Dorset Council said:
“This exciting and much-needed investment in sustainable infrastructure in Wimborne will transform local travel options, connecting people safely to local jobs and education while also helping to reduce carbon emissions. Currently, there is no traffic-free cycle provision along the 40mph Leigh Road. Cyclists must either travel on the busy road – which carries over 12,000 vehicles a day – or illegally use the pavements. The improvements planned at Leigh Road are part of our ambition to make south east Dorset a cleaner, greener, healthier place to live, work, and do business.”
“It’s great to see this project moving forwards”
James Cleeton, Director for the south of England at Sustrans, said:
“It’s great to see this project moving forwards. Creating a new path for walking and cycling that’s separated from the traffic on this busy road will fill the gap on this popular route. As a key corridor linking schools and businesses with residential areas, the path will enable more people to travel actively to work or school and enjoy all the benefits that brings.
“Filling this gap on the National Cycle Network will help us to move one step closer to fulfilling our ambition of creating a network of paths that really is for everyone.”
One of only 12 city regions in England to secure funding
BCP Council and Dorset Council were one of 12 city regions in England to secure a share of the government’s Transforming Cities Fund based on its commitment to driving economic growth through investment in public sustainable transport. It forms a major part of the region’s Transforming Travel programme promoting sustainable travel.
For further information about the improvements along Leigh Road and Wimborne Road West go to dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/leigh-road-scheme.
To note:
* Some sections are shared walk/cycleways.
As part of Sustran’s National Cycle Network review (2018), Leigh Road / Wimborne Road West was identified as an important local corridor linking schools and businesses that could be a potential location for cycle and walking improvements. Early consultation was held in July 2019, where four public engagement events were held around the area, alongside a stakeholder meeting with members of Dorset Council and key organisations This provided overall comments on the cycling and walking provisions and initial design suggestions. Consensus from the events was that improvements were desperately needed to link up existing routes, and a need to improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists along the route.
Transforming Cities Fund
The Transforming Cities Fund aims to improve productivity and spread prosperity through investment in public and sustainable transport in some of the largest English city regions.
BCP Council and Dorset Council secured £79 million through the Department for Transport’s Transforming Cities Fund (TCF) in March 2020. Local contributions from both councils, developers, bus companies and bike share operators has created a total programme value for south east Dorset of £102 million.
BCP Council and Dorset Councils are working in partnership with Public Health Dorset, More Bus, Yellow Buses, Beryl Bikes, Cycling UK, Sustrans, Bournemouth University and Arts University Bournemouth to deliver this extensive programme from 2020 to 2023.
The combined populations of BCP Council and Dorset Council enabled a joint application for city region funding.
Transforming Travel
BCP Council and Dorset Council’s Transforming Travel programme promotes changes in the way that people travel in the area. The Transforming Cities Fund is one of the first programmes to be delivered under Transforming Travel and will be the largest sustainable transport infrastructure improvement programme ever seen in south east Dorset.
For more information go to www.transformingtravel.info
Yet again, the car is considered the enemy. So the majority of travellers will be have to endure even slower journeys for the minority. You are definitely transforming travel but not for the better.
Hi,
I’m not sure how you are drawing the conclusion that the journeys will be slower, except for reducing the speed limit that will make the area safer for all road users?
Thanks
Alex
You planners live in a dream world,pushing more traffic onto Middlehill road where most of the schools are.
Hi.
I live on Leigh Rd and the traffic, especially at rush hour, travelling towards Wimborne queues way past Topps Day Nurseries. You have increased the problem of gridlock by excess building with little or no thought to infrastructure or what to do with the nightmare Canford Bottom Roundabout which is regularly mentioned on national traffic news. Please think of the bigger picture before spending millions to cater for the very few cyclists and pedestrians who travel on this section of road. I speak as an occasional cyclist and pedestrian. I note there was consultation in 2019 which we knew nothing about! Perhaps we were away at the time.
S Moir.
likewise I don’t know of anyone living along this rout who was consulted regarding this scheme. It was only when i noticed the speed limit revocation notices on lampposts and i spoke to some of the people marking out the pavements with spray cans in the area that i found about it
No traffic is being pushed anywhere. What are you talking about?
If you look at the ‘artist’s impression’ you will notice that the road will be narrower, cyclists are not required to use cycle ways so , as happens elsewhere, some cyclists will still ride on the road holding the traffic up. It’s also interesting that a cyclist is shown riding on the pavement.
I too live on Leigh Road and agree with above comments. With all the new proposed homes to be built exiting onto Leigh there will be approximately 12 000 new vehicles on Leigh road each day. Is the sustainable and has there been a consultation te the increased co2 emissions and possible subsequent health issues
This is much needed and welcome but what about doing something to improve cycling safety between Corfe Mullen and Wimborne? Julian’s rd is increasingly dangerous due to fast and busy vehicle traffic.
Yes what they need is some nice wide cycle lanes going over the bridge; that might be welcomed by cyclists. Perhaps by then cars will have the ability to fly and so they won’t need to drive into town. They will need stronger wings for the Juggernaughts which need to get into town to the supermarkets however.
This daft scheme will simply make the Wimborne bypass more dangerous for all who use it as they try to dodge this ill thought out scheme.
I live on the south side of Wimborne Road West close to Hayes Lane. Today there is a pavement passing our property. Although this is a pavement we frequently find cyclists using it, sometimes travelling at significant speed. If cyclists are given right of way, speeds will be higher and the risk of collisions between pedestrians and vehicles leaving our driveway will greatly increase. I have experienced near misses in the past. As it exists we have clear sight lines for road traffic since once you cross the pavement, traffic can be seen. That is if no vehicles are parked on the grass verge, be it people visiting the garage shop or neighbours using it as a parking spot.
I consider that this proposal does not allow an adequate sight line for the speeds that cyclists will be travelling passed my driveway. This will significantly increase the risk of collisions and believe this is true for every driveway along this section of road.
As an aside the map incorret. Leigh Road terminates at Leigh House at which point it becomes Wimborne Road West.
The reduction in speed will add less than a minute to journey times. Is that really an issue? More relevant is that use of cycle lane should be mandatory and that once built it should be properly maintained and kept clear of broken glass and other litter left by motorists
It is a shame that so many people shown by the negative comments, cannot envisage a different future. New cycle lanes are like new roads, they encourage people to use them once in place. The cycle lane from Dorchester to Weymouth is a great example of this. I used to ride it every day and it became very busy as more people could see the benefit of car-free riding.
Having our infrastructure so focussed on the needs of car drivers is detrimental to many for all sorts of reasons, not least toxic exhaust fumes and the negative impact on the climate.
We are in a climate and biological diversity emergency. We cannot address this problem with the same old notions of car-driving supremacy. I applaud BCP and DC councils for an imaginative solution.
More cycle lane madness. Does this council not learn. Nearly a £1 million spent on the Ham Lane cycle lane and look how much use that gets. A lot of the cyclists just ignore it and stay on the road. When is this mayhem going to stop!
Good stuff. But is this not a job half done? If you want to do the Castleman Trail, how do you get from Leigh Road/Brook Road to Merley?
This seems like a great plan for walkers, pedestrians and road users but I feel that by stopping the cycle path at Brook Road the council have addressed the easy to construct section but failed to address the problems for the cyclists as they approach the town centre. So often cycle paths give up just where they may be needed the most
Excellent work to help move us to a world with less car use but this is indeed the crux of the problem for safer cycling and pedestrians, i.e. once you get into Wimborne. The narrow road and pavements from the traffic lights to the Quarterjack roundabout are not safe for pedestrians or cyclists. The minimum requirement is a 20mph limit on this stretch, I frequently walk it and almost have my shoulders brushed by lorries at 35-40mph, when the traffic allows it!
It would be nice if cyclists actually used these things for example – Gravel Hill cyclists still use the road & get offensive when told to use the cyclepath. Bridge from wimborne to Oakley Hill – They still use the road bridge & not the expensive cycle bridge. Leigh Road is the only major road into Wimborne from the east so why would you want to make it narrower. Best way would be to ban cyclists & let the prdestrians use the footpath. Cyclists can always use Middle Hill.
Hi, please find out more information about this on the transformingtravel.info website. Thanks, Alex
a huge waste of money and effort. ruining the existing area.
.there are not enuugh cyclists to justify spending any money on this . Concentrate on housing for local people
The cycleway on Ham Lane has not encouraged more people to abandon cars in favour of bikes. Cyclists using this expensive facility are conspicuous by heir rarity. What makes the designers of the Leigh Road scheme think this new scheme is going to be any more successful. the reality is that the vast majority of the many new residents will be using their cars, not bikes. But nothing is being done to facilitate vehicular traffic flow in the Wimborne area. Why will traffic planners not learn from the many mistakes made in this area. I cite the notorious Canford Bottom Roundabout as a prime example of this misinformed mindset.
There are much better things to spend £102m on, this is an absolute disgrace. You’d be better investing and supporting local businesses at a time like this. The roads plenty wide enough for cyclists and this is another prime example of irresponsible waste of tax payers money.
Please do not bring Beryl bikes to Wimborne. They are an eyesore. Who would want a big green square outside their home with bikes dumped on the pavement. How many would end up in the river plus they block up the pavements at a time when we all need a bit more space?!?!
You seem to have a real negative mindset Tracey?
I would quite happily have one outside my home, it would actually be really handy… I’m really lazy so I can never be bothered to walk into Wimborne so I always drive in, but I would travel there more often and in theory spend more money in the town if I could just hop on a bike on my doorstep.
If you’d done any research you would see when signing up to Beryl they you have to add a payment card, this then enables you to unlock the bike, if you don’t return it to a bay you can be fined anywhere from £10-£80 for not parking back in a bay, this was installed to help reduce vandalism and bikes going missing.
Oh and the bays you called eyesores are literally a green painted rectangle and bike… no different to any other road markings?
You must hate all the road markings at Canford bottom!
What a waste of money, all you have to do is look at Ham Lane to see that these stupid plans only cause more congestion, in these cash strapped times surely you could direct excess money to better use
At last there is going to be a safe way to cycle legally close to Wimborne. My only concern is what happens at Brook Road?
It is a great same that some of the funding cannot be spent on improving the local street roads. The roads on the Bridle Way estate are a particular disgrace. We are also concerned about traffic being pushed onto Middlehill Road.
As someone who regularly runs along Leigh Road, often sharing the pavement with cyclists, this is very welcome and will hopefully encourage more to choose to cycle or walk, especially with the new homes being built along the road.
Couldn’t agree more Mike, I do hope they bring the Beryl bike scheme to the area to help encourage more people out of their cars and onto bikes/ebikes or e-scooters.
As a resident of Leigh Road my option is walk or drive into Wimborne center, I find the walk tedious and I’m lazy so always opt to drive in, bikes would be a great option, I doubt I’m the only one thinking this.
My concern is for pedestrians safety along the sections where cyclists will be sharing the carriageway. Few cyclists warn pedestrians of their usually silent approach. If approaching from behind an unaware person/s they could be injured should they alter their path for any reason. This happens quite often especially if children or dogs are in tow – and they usually are for people walking this stretch. It would be helpful if cyclists were enforced to ring a bell and approach with caution. Can this be stipulated please?
I like these projects. Grass on verges is all very well but consumes resources and cash to keep it neat and tidy.
BUT, once this amount of money is spent to create cycle lanes the Council must INSIST that cyclists use them or FINE cyclists using the road instead.
Poster showing ‘Think Bike’ should be changed to ‘Bikers, THINK’
As someone who lives along this proposed route, i find these proposals truly astounding, bearing in mind that this road is and always has been the main route into Wimborne from the East being very heavily used by large juggernaughts (servicing the towns supermarkets), lorries and cars, going to and from work. It should also be noted that the replacement bypass route nearby is constantly at a standstill, as is this road, because vehicles are unable to get onto the Canford Bottom roundabout. It is also the case that most cyclists are put off using this route because they cannot get across the Canford Bottom roundabout, with many choosing to try and share the roundabout with many lanes of busy traffic, despite a purpose built cycle route running through the roundabout. They won’t use the purposely built cycleway/pedestrian way because it means them negotiating at least four sets of traffic lights which takes them far too long. Surely it would be far better to correct the faults with the Canford Bottom roundabout before entering into such a costly scheme which like ham lane will be rarely used by cyclists.
The biggest problem around Wimborne is the A31 Wimborne by pass being only single carriageway and the rediculous roundabout at Canford bottom.
Surely a dual carriageway and a flyover should be first on the list.
The traffic flow is painful most of the time in both directions.
As a truck driver i am all for dedicated cycle lanes but they are a complete waste of money when so many cyclists refuse to use them. Ham Lane and the road passing the airport being prime examples.
I agree with the majority of objectors on here. I live off Leigh Rd and have not been consulted in anyway. This proposal turns a semi rural area into urban misery. Ham Lane is a cycle way fiasco – I hardly see anyone on it as in Castle Lane and I travel down both most days. Millions spent on excess tarmac for nothing.
This is an excellent addition to the Castleman Trailway which is long overdue. I’m a regular and very experienced motorist and cyclist and when cycling I always use the cycleways where provided, though sometimes they aren’t signed clearly.
It might help the whinging motorists, who have left negative comments, to try to cycle once in a while and they would very soon change there tune – and get a bit fitter in the process.
However – I must agree that cyclists should be required by law to use the cycleways where provided. The Wareham Road from the Bakers Arms roundabout to Holton Heath is a prime example of the stupidity of some cyclists who ignore the cycleway and hold the traffic up.
Their excuse of it takes too long to negotiate parts of the cycleway is ridiculous and anyway, what’s the hurry?
Cycle lanes need to be as they are in Germany, totally separate to the roads and with bridges over the traffic. It’s far too late now, but the old railway from Wimborne to Ringwood would have been perfect.
The new and proposed cycle routes will take very little traffic off the roads. Most of it will be leisure cycling, not those using them as alternatives to the car. Are we going to be told how many have used the new Ham lane route, and how many the new Leigh road lane, when opened?