Bournemouth council is considering a second shared space scheme in Boscombe, despite campaigners calling the concept “fundamentally flawed”.

The first scheme - developed last summer as part of the Three Towns Travel project - saw railings removed, road surfaces and kerbs altered and new crossings created in Christchurch Road.

In July, futuristic spheres replaced flower boxes at the bend - at a total cost to the council of £17,875.

But there have been a series of near misses at the junction, with residents branding it dangerous.

Despite that, there are hopes to create a similar system at the eastern end of the precinct on the stretch of road next to Cafe Boscanova, according to councillors who spoke at this month's Boscombe Forum meeting.

Forum chair, David Nock, said he believes the idea of shared space is “fundamentally flawed”.

“I think the costs of the first shared space have been excessive and there are many simpler, more cost-effective improvements we could make to the east of the precinct,” he said.

“There’s a general feeling that lessons haven’t been learned from the original shared space.

“A more considered approach could be much more beneficial.

“They have been found to be dangerous,” he said, adding that he would like to see a more coherent plan implemented should the second space receive the funding.

He said: “You could argue that the west end of the road has slowed down traffic but some people don’t fully understand the scheme.

“Planning is everything. It’s no good nipping and tucking as you go - it endangers people. You’re putting people in front of cars.

“I would like to see a very clear and well-thought out idea for the scheme,” he said. “It seems a bizarre approach - the council needs to show more humanity.”

Councillor Jane Kelly, Bournemouth council portfolio holder for regeneration and public health, said: “We have many aspirations and ideas for future regeneration work in Boscombe in order to continue the area improvements.

“These aspirations include the opening up of the eastern end of Boscombe precinct, among other plans.

“However, this will remain just an idea until funding can be acquired.”

Boscombe councillor Chris Wakefield said he objected to the existing scheme being called a ‘shared space’ area.

“To me, that stretch is a bend in the road that now looks a lot better than it used to,” he said.

“Shared spaces don’t have any pedestrian crossings nearby, whereas the scheme in Boscombe does - that crossing is in place where the footfall is.”

He said the stretch of Heathcote Road under consideration for a new scheme is “difficult for pedestrians and motorists”.

“I would like to see that area totally re-done,” he added.

“However, we are talking about a possibility - it is very much a future aspiration.”

Shared space incidents

SINCE shared spaces were introduced, the Daily Echo has reported the following incidents:

September 2015: An inquest is held into the death of pedestrian David Dixson who died following a collision with a car at Sea View. The 68-year-old suffered a head injury on October 17, 2014 and died two days later.

October 2015: A cyclist suffers serious injuries in a collision with a silver Mazda 6 at the crossroads at Horseshoe Common. She is hurled into the air before landing on the road, being used by cars, buses and trucks.

December 16, 2015: A Morebus crashes into a street light at 11.20pm. The bus’s windscreen is extensively damaged but no passengers are injured.

July 18, 2016: One of the new futuristic spheres installed at the precinct - at a total cost of £17,875 - is knocked over by a Morebus at around 11.50am.

August 19, 2016: A national inquiry into the accessibility of shared space schemes is launched. The parliamentary Women and Equalities Committee wants to assess whether such schemes create barriers for disabled people and if people of all abilities are considered.