DOUBLE yellow lines could be on the cards for Boscombe's shared space area.

Plans to transform the stretch of road on the approach to the precinct will go before the council in the coming weeks.

Yellow or red lines may be painted on the surface of the road to amend waiting and loading restrictions for motorists.

Initially, a spokesperson from Bournemouth council refused to confirm rumours that double yellows might be painted in.

"There is a proposed change coming up in the next traffic regulation order review – it is in the early stages and is still a few weeks away from the public consultation stage so we will update [the Echo] then," she said.

However, the spokesperson later confirmed: "There will be a proposal to change the current zonal waiting and loading restriction in the next traffic regulation order review.

"The review is currently in the early stage and still a few weeks away from the public consultation stage."

Ward councillor Phil Stanley-Watts said he would support the addition of double yellow lines if there are health and safety fears.

"Something needs to be done if vehicles are stopping there because it could cause a real risk," he said.

"If there's any danger to pedestrians and motorists then it's definitely something I'd agree with.

"There is a congestion problem in that particular area and vehicles have almost collided as a result of that.

"Vehicles have been seen stopping almost in the middle of the road and that's not on at all."

Earlier this year, it was confirmed that granite bollards marking out the shared space area will be made permanent.

In total, 13 futuristic-looking spheres costing £17,875 were installed last summer to differentiate between the road and the pedestrian walkway.

Officers from Bournemouth council say they are now "happy" with the scheme and the bollards will be permanently set into the ground.

The spokesperson said: "The granite spheres were originally only placed on the surface until a final position was agreed and trialled to ensure that all vehicles could safely pass through the area, and in particular to ensure the bus operators could pass.

"We are now happy with the location and the spheres are being permanently installed into the ground, as was always intended."