RESIDENTS and businesses have voiced their concerns over the ongoing works to Tuckton roundabout.

It comes as Yellow Buses are looking at how to divert their services when Tuckton Bridge is closed for two weeks from March 30, over the Easter holidays.

The aim of the roadworks is to create a ‘parallel crossing’ for bicycles and pedestrians with a raised road surface at each junction. Alongside this, the road outside of the Tesco store in Tuckton Road will be widened, and there will be no right turns into or out of the Riverside Harvester.

The bridge closure is a part of the scheme by Bournemouth council intended to make the area safer for cars, cyclists and pedestrians. The busy junction sees around 30,000 commuters travel through every day.

Dan Sullivan, a cyclist who works in Tuckton Road, said: “I cycle and use the roundabout, and I often wonder ‘Is this car going to indicate?’ I think the improvements for cyclists are going to be good and it will be a lot safer, but I think the work is a bit extensive.”

The bridge closure is likely to affect numerous businesses in the area, including the popular Tuckton Tea Gardens.

Liz Jeavons and Amanda Smithers, both employees of Tuckton Tea Gardens, said: “The only way into the car park is via the bridge, and it is how we receive our deliveries, and it also allows access for the diesel deliveries for the boats, so we are not too sure how they’re going to be affected if the entrance is blocked off."

Despite the possible disruption to business, Jason Giddings, manager of the Tuckton Tea Gardens, said: “It’s frustrating from a business perspective, but it is also going to benefit the whole of the community in the long term.”

Simon Newport, Yellow Buses’ head of commercial, said: “We are currently liaising with the council and will update customers when decisions are made.

“In any case when roadworks affect our services we do all we can to mitigate disruption for our passengers.”

It is anticipated the works will take approximately six to seven months to complete with temporary traffic lights being used at times.

Road closures will also be required at times during the construction.

While these are in place, signed diversion routes will be provided. There will be a break in the works over the peak summer period in late July and throughout August.