RADICAL plans to pedestrianise part of Bournemouth town centre have been revealed.

The roads surrounding Beales will be transformed if the council proposals get the go-ahead.

Before that, as part of a formal public consultation period, year-long experimental traffic orders will be implemented on Yelverton Road and Albert Road to turn them into cul-de-sacs.

This means the one-way system being scrapped and both roads closing before their junctions with Old Christchurch Road.

And the area known as Beale Place – the stretch of Hinton Road outside Beales – will be closed to traffic altogether.

“By using an experimental traffic order this will allow the plan to be further evaluated before making the arrangement permanent or carrying out major construction works,” said council leader John Beesley.

“One of the key elements in proposals like this is to ensure that there are no significant negative effects on traffic flow.”

What roads will be closed under the traffic orders?

Bournemouth Echo:

  • Yelverton Road to become a ‘No-Through Road’ with two-way traffic entering and exiting via Richmond Hill. The road would be closed to traffic beside Barclays Bank.

• Albert Road is to become a ‘No-Through Road’ with two-way traffic entering from Richmond Hill as far as No. 12 Albert Road. Delivery vehicles will have access to the entire length of Albert Road between 10pm and 9am by entering Albert Road from Old Christchurch Road.

• Delivery vehicles will be permitted into the southern part of Old Christchurch Road via Gervis Place between 10pm and 9am. From Gervis Place delivery vehicles will have the option to exit Old Christchurch Road via Post Office Road, Albert Road or continue up Old Christchurch Road..

• Beale Place is to be closed to all motorised vehicle traffic at all times.

The council has not yet said when the 12 month orders would come into force, only that they are going to happen.

What would the new Beales Place look like?

Bournemouth Echo:

Plans include 

  • Stepped central space creating a focal point for performances
  • Historic map of Bournemouth as a motif on paving or street furniture
  • Adaptable central space for events such as markets, performances etc.
  • New lighting such as up-lights on buildings to highlight architecture.
  • Additional lighting defining features such as seating and steps
  • A glass canopy structure along what is now Hinton Road
  • High quality street furniture
  • New tree planting

The borough’s latest idea comes after nearby Richmond Hill underwent major public realm changes last year as part of the Three Towns Travel scheme.

“The aim is to create a safer and more attractive environment for the many people living, working and visiting this part of town,” said Cllr Beesley.

“By reducing traffic through the town centre and giving pedestrians greater priority we want to provide an environment where people meet up and enjoy the surroundings.”

Manager of Beales Nicky Washington said she welcomed the proposals, which have been made following an initial consultation with nearby businesses.

"For us it will improve the aesthetics and give the area a modern, contemporary feel and ultimately encourage people to stay and want to visit for longer," she said.

Steve Hughes, manager of the Town Centre Business Improvement District, said: “From a business point of view, I think any opportunity to invest in enhancing the appearance of the town centre would generally be seen to be a good thing.”

Mr Hughes said, however, that his organisation would be seeking the views of the circa 600 firms it represents to ensure the plans meet their approval.

“But it looks on the face of it to be a good idea,” he added.

“If it can sort out the traffic flow then I think it looks like a good opportunity. It would create what looks like a really nice public space in the heart of that area.”

And Mandy Payne, past president of Bournemouth Chamber of Trade and Commerce, said pedestrianisation in the area would be “good for Beales and the businesses surrounding it”.

“It will hopefully encourage more footfall, and less congestion,” she added.

Residents are invited to view the plans at a public consultation being held at the Norfolk Royale Hotel, Richmond Hill, which runs between 12pm-2pm and 5pm-7pm on Thursday, June 9.

The public can have their say on the proposals by visiting bournemouth.gov.uk/bealeplaceconsultation