A DECISION on the future of the abandoned Creekmoor park and ride site will be decided this summer, it is understood.

Having been discontinued as a Covid testing site on April 1, the old park and ride site just off Upton Road in Creekmoor has remained disused.

It had been leased to the Department of Health and Social Care until an end date of December 31 this year, however this use was ultimately withdrawn early as part of the government’s national Covid policy change.

Following a formal handover process it became a BCP Council-owned site again.

Creekmoor ward councillor Judes Butt previously said she hoped the site could be used for community purposes, such as a return of the park and ride service, a car boot sale site, or an electric car charging station.

In the time since, Cllr Butt said she would ensure the views of residents would be heard in regards to the future of the site.

Bournemouth Echo: Creekmoor park and ride pictured in 2013Creekmoor park and ride pictured in 2013

She told the Echo: “I am advised BCP Council will be deciding what to do with the site long term as part of the local plan process, which will start this summer.

“I shall be ensuring as ward councillor for Creekmoor that this remains an ongoing consultative process with my residents and that all options that come out of the Local Plan Consultation report are clearly stated.

“Change is always a challenge and we need to ensure we get it right, ensuring that my local community directly affected by the site are well informed about all options, this is key to a successful outcome for my residents.”

The site, prior to the pandemic, was mostly used as a park and ride facility for Poole over the Christmas period. It had also been earmarked as a “holding site” for vehicles travelling to The Port of Poole as part of Brexit preparations.

Despite its use as a Covid test site ending at the beginning of April, road signage describing it as such is still in place on and around the Fleetsbridge roundabout.

In late May, an unauthorised traveller’s encampment consisting of 10 living units and associated vehicles was based at the deserted site for several days before moving on.