The second section of the Transforming Cities Fund (TCF) Leigh Road / Wimborne Road West sustainable travel improvements has now been completed. This newly finished section of the project runs from the western entrance of Stapehill Crescent to just east of the entrance to the new Quarter Jack Park development.
The project includes the construction of:
• two new parallel crossings with dedicated space for both pedestrians and cyclists – some of the first of this design in the Dorset Council area. One crossing is located west of the Old Ham Lane junction and the other west of the Hayes Lane Junction. These new crossings are to further enhance safety for pedestrians, cyclists and disability scooter users as more homes are build along the route.
The two new crossings are similar to zebra crossings, but with an additional lane running parallel to the ‘zebra stripes’. The crossings enable cyclists to cross the road safely and with the same level of priority as a zebra crossing gives a pedestrian. They are not controlled by traffic lights but have the traditional orange flashing belisha beacon like a zebra crossing. This means that they will not delay drivers any longer than necessary when the crossings are used.
• the continued two-way cycle lane on the north side of the road up to the new parallel crossing to the west of Old Ham Lane. The cycle lane then splits into separate one-way east and west bound lanes on the north and south sides of the road, which will eventually continue to the junction of Brook Road with Leigh Road, once the whole scheme has been completed. White lines and signs on these new lanes will also be added soon.
To save time and minimise disruption to local residents and road users, Dorset Council also took the opportunity to re-surface the road and re-paint the road markings along this whole section.
Construction of the third and final section of the Leigh Road sustainable transport route is now underway and runs from west of the entrance of the Quarter Jack Park development, past the entrance to By-The-Way Field and up to the new signal-controlled Brook Road junction.
This final phase will complete the new cycle lanes and pedestrian footpaths on both sides of Leigh Road, up to the Brook Road junction. It will also include the re-surfacing of the whole road as per the previous sections. This will mean that the whole length of Wimborne Road West and Leigh Road from Canford Bottom to Brook Road will then have been resurfaced with any surface damage fully repaired.
It is expected that this final section will be completed in the new year.
The sustainable travel improvements on Leigh Road and Wimborne Road West form part of the 27km sustainable travel route that will eventually link Ferndown and Wimborne with Poole town centre. Work has already started on new cycle, walking and bus improvements along Ringwood Road in Ferndown, which also forms part of this green travel route.
The improvements are largely funded through a central government grant of £79m, supplemented by further money raised from the councils, a contribution from Department for Transport through walking and cycling charity Sustrans’ Paths for Everyone programme, and local transport and business organisations. Together this gives a total budget of over £102m. The south east Dorset Transforming Cities Fund, is a joint project between Dorset Council and BCP Council aimed at reducing congestion by offering people an alternative transport choice to their car that is safe, reliable, pleasant and sustainable, particularly for shorter journeys.
Councillor Ray Bryan, Dorset Council’s Portfolio Holder for Highways, Travel and Environment said:
“It is really pleasing that this project is making good progress and is bringing new amenities to the growing communities around Leigh Road and Wimborne Road West. The two new crossings are a particular bonus as I have received much feedback from local residents saying that this road can be particularly difficult and dangerous to cross, particularly for young families with push chairs and users of mobility scooters.
“The new cycle lanes and bus stops along the road will of course be a great benefit and will encourage more people to cycle, scoot, walk or take a bus for their shorter local journeys. This will in turn reduce congestion by reducing the number of cars on the road.”
Sarah Leeming, Interim Director for South of England at Sustrans said:
“We’re so pleased to see these improvements completed. Providing a safe space for people to cross the busy road whilst travelling actively in the area goes a long way to enabling people to choose walking, wheeling, cycling or scooting for their everyday journeys.
“These improvements are part of our Paths for Everyone programme, helping to bring us one step closer to a National Cycle Network that is safer and more enjoyable for everyone who wants to use it.”
That is all very well but what about the rest of Leigh Rd down to the quarterback roundabout ?
Where the cycle path is too wide drivers now use it for parking – will they get fined?
I have a photo taken with my dash cam that I would like you to see, can you let me have an email address. It shows a cyclist still riding on the road instead of the cycle path.
Delivery vans also find the cycle path useful, they drive along the whole length of Wimborne Road West without having to go on the road.
Now you have installed the bus stops let’s hope we get some buses. At this time there are no buses running between Canford Bottom roundabout and Hayes Lane.
Where there is a separate cycleway on each side of the road are these one way?
Will the sort of idiots that screech around the Asda car park, take any notice of a flashing yellow light, or will they just plough into the cyclists and drive off as yet another hit-and-run offender?
This needs TRAFFIC LIGHTS (and a button to push) like normal crossings.
And/or cameras to record offenders when they ignore the crossing and just drive straight through, no matter what people trying to cross are doing.