TRADERS fear they could lose business when major works start along two of Poole’s busiest thoroughfares in the New Year.

Road users have also been warned to expect disruptions when the project starts.

Parts of Ashley Road and Poole Road are set to be redeveloped as part of the £12.1 million Three Towns Travel scheme, a national Government-funded project deliver improved travel links across Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch.

Engineers start in Ashley Road, on January 2, where the first phase of the localised £1m works will be centred around the Mansfield Road junction.

Claire Tisley, owner of Tom Dick and Harry’s hairdressers, opposite the junction, described the planned works as “absolutely horrendous”.

Meanwhile, Teresa Davies, landlady at The Victoria Cross pub – which is on the corner of Ashley Road and Mansfield Road – said: “A lot of my locals walk here, but those who drive may be put off by the roadworks and avoid us. January is quite a problem month anyway.”

Cemal Altun, owner of Ashley Road’s Best-One convenience store, told the Daily Echo: “I believe that this is going to be a big problem. Ashley Road is a very busy road and most of our customers drive here and stop outside.

“With the roadworks it means they may not be able to.”

On the same day work is also due to start in Poole Road, where £450,000 improvements have been identified following public consultation, says Borough of Poole.

Poole council cabinet member Cllr Xena Dion warned: “Unfortunately, there will be some disruption to road users but we have scheduled the work in such a way as to minimise the impact to the community.

“We would like to thank drivers in advance for their patience and understanding while these improvements are carried out.”

The main Poole Road works and the first phase at Ashley Road are both scheduled for completion in the spring.

Further works at key locations will be undertaken later in 2014, officials have confirmed.

Poole Road’s works include revamping the area in front of the shops opposite John Lewis; altering the parking slightly; adding an additional bus lane that can be used by cyclists; a new bus stop near Eagle Road; a toucan crossing on Lindsay Road and a shared cycleway linking Lindsay Road to Poole Road along St Aldhelm’s Road.

What works will deliver

THE Ashley Road project includes the installation of new cycling facilities; the renewal of kerb lines together with carriageway and footway resurfacing; traffic signal replacement and the removal of the existing banned left turn for vehicles from Mansfield Road into Ashley Road.

Cllr Xena Dion said: “We have carried out extensive consultation with the local community to identify a range of improvement schemes along the main Poole to Bournemouth corridor as part of the Three Towns Travel project.

“I am delighted that these two important schemes are now starting to be delivered and will be of benefit to everyone, whether you wal