A MAJOR project to improve the road safety at a Bournemouth roundabout has secured the required £1.6million in funding – with road closures to deliver the scheme just days away.

BCP Council is carrying out the improvements at Boundary roundabout to convert it into a 'continental style' junction, with the majority of the cash for the work being secured by Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP).

It is hoped the changes to the roundabout’s four road approaches and the installation of new crossings, footways and cycle paths will deliver safer and more effective journeys for all road users.

A full closure of Boundary Road is required, along with no Gillett Road access at the roundabout. These road closures are due to begin on Monday, June 22 and last until September.

Cllr Andy Hadley, BCP Council cabinet member for transport, said: “The essential improvements to Boundary Roundabout will reduce collisions in the area by providing safer facilities for all users, especially pedestrians and cyclists, at a location that has been especially problematic. This will also help to encourage the uptake of more sustainable, healthier and environmentally friendly modes of transport along one of the conurbation’s key connecting routes.

“Forming part of our wider Wallisdown Corridor improvement works, we encourage people to plan ahead, allow extra journey time, use alternative routes, or use a bus or Beryl Bike whilst these works are being carried out.’’

Due to the required closure of Boundary Road, a diversion route for westbound traffic using Wallisdown Road, Kinson Road and Columbia Road, and for eastbound traffic using Talbot Avenue, Wimborne Road and Ensbury Park Road, will be in operation.

Wallisdown and Winton West ward councillor Nigel Hedges said motorists should avoid attempting to cut through other residential roads.

"It is being done while a lot of people are still not at school or work, so losing Boundary Road might not be as bad as it could have been," he said.

"Our contractors have proved with Wallisdown Road that they can work fast, so it will be the shortest possible time.

"It has to be done. The pure point is all the work is being done to save lives."

Jim Stewart, chair of Dorset LEP said: “The investment in Boundary Roundabout futureproofs a prime economic corridor linking Bournemouth and Poole. It carries around 24,000 vehicles a day and is also a key route for university students with approximately 7,000 pedestrians and 750 cyclists negotiating this busy roundabout daily during term time.

“We are proud to have secured funding for this major strategic investment which will ensure more reliable and safer journeys, support our two economically important universities and boost sustainable economic growth and productivity.”

Professor Emma Hunt, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Arts University Bournemouth (AUB) said: “AUB is expanding, not only as a university but as a centre of innovation and entrepreneurship with growing influence in the creative and digital industries sector. It is very important that our local infrastructure is able to support future growth, both on the part of the university and of the conurbation itself, with an increasing number of visitors, students and creative enterprises setting up businesses in the area.

“Investment in these key transport links will vastly improve travel for residents and visitors, attracting additional valuable investment to the area and encouraging those studying in Bournemouth to launch their creative enterprises in the town too.”