NEW traffic signals, extra road markings, and more signage – these are some of the changes Bournemouth council is hoping will help improve the issue of traffic flow in and around Royal Bournemouth Hospital.

For years, staff, patients and visitors have faced problems leaving the site, especially when roadworks have taken place in the surrounding area. Sometimes drivers have been stuck in the car park for hours due to traffic on Castle Lane East.

The council says it is assessing a number of options to alleviate the problem, including changes to traffic signals, increased road markings and more signage. Developments in new technology are also being investigated, which could lead to a possible trial of the latest traffic monitoring and incident detection equipment along Castle Lane East.

The key issues to address are improved emergency access for ambulances entering and leaving the site and improved access for patients leaving the hospital, especially at peak times.

The work is in addition to the council’s plans to build a new link road and junction directly from the A338 to connect with the Wessex Fields business park and provide a second access to the hospital. A planning application for the new junction has been submitted.

Tony Spotswood, CEO of the Royal Bournemouth and Christchurch Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said there had been occasions recently when traffic had been held up “for a considerable time which is unacceptable”.

“It is vital for our patients, visitors and staff that they are able to have easy access to and from Royal Bournemouth Hospital.

“We urgently need to see improvements and this is the work we are jointly focused on.”

Staff and visitors to the hospital told the Daily Echo the situation needed improving, but one nurse was doubtful the proposed changes would make a difference.

“It won’t help - the whole infrastructure needs an overhaul. Colleagues of mine who work office hours have been stuck in the car park for two to three hours. It’s frustrating as there’s nothing they can do, it’s gridlocked," she said.

Julia Tabrah, a senior occupational therapist, said the current traffic situation was “incredibly frustrating, to the point where people are giving up their parking permits because it can take several hours to leave the hospital site.”

"It's genuinely quicker to cycle or walk into work most days because the situation has got so bad.

"I definitely think something needs to be changed," she said, adding: “I’m not sure if the changes will improve things, but it’s worth trying to see.”

Bournemouth councillor Kieron Wilson, a ward clerk at the hospital, said the level of congestion was “madness”.

"At the back of the west wing, the line of traffic can be at a standstill. Something needs to be done. A two-and-a-half hour wait before getting home is not acceptable.

“Whether these changes are enough - I don’t know. The problem has been around for so long, we’re bound to be sceptical.”

Cllr Philip Stanley-Watts, who also works at the hospital, said the "proof will be in the pudding".

"The council is starting to address this issue, and anything is better than nothing.

"Getting out of the hospital, especially at peak times, is almost impossible."

Bournemouth council says it is “working closely” with the hospital on the development of its master plan for the site, as part of the reform of health services across the county.

“As the range of services provided from the hospital site, as well as staff numbers, are set to increase, the potential impact of additional traffic on local roads is being carefully considered and planned,” a spokesperson said.

Cllr Simon Bull said the council needed to have a "major re-think about how it addresses traffic in the town".

"Fiddling with the signals, signage and road markings is not going to solve the problems we have on Castle Lane or across Bournemouth," he said.

Council leader John Beesley said: “We recognise that staff, patients and visitors have real concerns about the flow of road traffic in the area. Through collaborative working and strong partnership arrangements, we are identifying a range of practical improvements that should make a real difference.”