WORK on the first stage to pedestrianise Beale Place starts on Friday.

It marks the start of a year-long experimental traffic plan which aims to create a ‘contemporary street scene’ and boost safety for people on foot in the town.

From Friday, delivery vehicles will be able to enter Old Christchurch Road via the gate to the pedestrian area at Gervis Place between 10pm and 10am.

During that time, these vehicles will be able to access Post Office Road and Albert Road from Old Christchurch Road and exit either road via Richmond Hill.

They will also be able to continue up Old Christchurch Road towards Horseshoe Common where they will exit at the current pedestrian gate.

Yelverton Road will be open to traffic travelling from Richmond Hill. Motorists will be able to drive to the end of Yelverton Road but will not be able to enter Old Christchurch Road so will have to make a u-turn at the junction of Barclays Bank to exit via Richmond Hill.

At Albert Road, traffic will be able to enter at the Richmond Hill entrance but will not be able to continue to Old Christchurch Road and will therefore have to make a u-turn halfway and exit via Richmond Hill.

The pedestrian gate at Beale Place will be closed to all vehicles at all times.

Some initial roadworks had started last week when workers were seen installing new road signs and lane markings at Albert Road and Yelverton Road.

A spokesperson for Bournemouth Borough Council confirmed this was a mistake made by the contractors who had put out signs “prematurely” and they were quickly covered up or taken down very quickly.

The error did not seem to deter motorists from ignoring the markings and a couple of drivers were seen driving the wrong-way along Yelverton Road.

Beales chief executive chairman Stuart Lyons (inset) said: “We think it is an imaginative plan that will bring pedestrians to the area and make it more attractive. We support the council’s proposals.”