WORK is due to start on a series of walking and cycling improvements between Bournemouth and Ferndown, after a near 50/50 public opinion split.

A new protected cycle track and a widened bridge will be implemented in plans for Glenferness Avenue early next year as part of a 14km sustainable travel route between Bournemouth town centre and Ferndown.

The proposals include:

  • A new protected cycle track on both sides of Glenferness Avenue
  • Existing bridge over railway line widened on eastern side and new bridge installed on western side, creating shared use paths on both sides of road with cyclists and pedestrians separated by a white line (subject to planning permission)
  • More priority for cyclists and pedestrians along Glenferness Avenue across adjoining roads
  • New parallel crossings and a new toucan crossing along route

Public consultation on the plans took place from February 24 to March 31, 2021.

439 respondents were asked whether they agreed or disagreed with the proposed changes.

Agreement and disagreement were evenly split with 48 per cent of respondents agreeing with the proposed changes and 48 per cent disagreeing. The remaining four per cent neither agreed nor disagreed.

BCP Council says that all responses were analysed and “helped shape the final scheme designs” for the works which form part of the authority’s Transforming Travel initiative.

Of the 439 respondents, 335 made a comment in relation to Glenferness Avenue. The most prevalent themes were disagreement to a closure on Elgin Road and agreement to the addition of a bridge over the railway.

One resident commented: “Blocking off Elgin [Road] will mean that access to and from the sub feeder route for local residents will be simply redirected to Cawdor Road which is pointless, a waste of public funds and is potentially more hazardous from a traffic point of view.”

In response to concerns raised, BCP Council amended their decision. It said: “The closure on Elgin Road was proposed in order to reduce the number of vehicles using the road as a through route while providing space for the new parallel crossing which was to be installed between Elgin Road and Roslin Road South.

“Taking note of the consultation responses, the design has been amended, and the crossing relocated which means the closure on Elgin Road is no longer proposed.”

Bournemouth Echo: Phase 1 plan of improvements to Glenferness Avenue. Picture: BCP CouncilPhase 1 plan of improvements to Glenferness Avenue. Picture: BCP Council

Regarding the bridge, a resident said: “The bridge work is desperately needed, so I am in full support of this work. The bridge is too narrow and not fit for purpose for 2021.”

As of October 2021, to provide the space for the proposed new bridges a total of 19 trees would need to be removed, and a further four for the segregated cycle track.

A tree mitigation plan has been devised in consultation with the arboriculturists and BCP Council’s tree and ecological officers. This includes the council’s approach to replant two trees for every one removed.

The works along Glenferness Avenue will be split into two phases to accommodate the planning application for the bridge works:

  • Phase 1: Talbot Roundabout – Railway bridges
  • Phase 2: Railway bridges – Leven Avenue

A public information event is also being held on Wednesday November 10 from 4pm - 7:30pm in Room 104 of the Fusion Building at Bournemouth University.