Planners still working on Julian's Bridge pedestrian access

Around one year since Dorset Council confirmed it had obtained funding to investigate how pedestrian access could be improved at Julian's Bridge in Wimborne, work has slowed due to "environmental and heritage constraints".

The busy stone-built bridge on the B3078 across the River Stour has no pavement for pedestrians or cyclists, with a narrow carriageway of less than six metres wide.

Some have described travelling across it as “scary”.

Julian's Bridge on the B3078 over the River Stour in Wimborne

After getting funds to investigate work to the bridge in October last year, Dorset Council's member for highways, travel and environment Cllr Ray Bryan said: “Please be patient, any proposed solution will take time to bring through to the detailed design phase, with any changes at the location likely to be several years away.”

However, lifelong Wimborne resident Chris Slocock told the Echo he fears it will take a serious casualty before work on the bridge is prioritised.

“You should see how close the traffic comes to pedestrians, it’s a chicken run,” he said.

“It’s easier if you’re fit and healthy but what about the very young and elderly? I fear we're going to see a fatality.

Wimborne resident Chris Slocock on Julian's Bridge next to passing traffic (Image: Chris Slocock)

“Work seems to have taken a backseat. There are allegedly assessments going on but for how long?

“We love the bridge, I’ve grown up here and it is a historic structure. But there are a growing number of people moving here and many want to travel on their bikes.”

Mr Slocock said he heard an oak bridge for pedestrians and cyclists could be built next to Julian’s Bridge, but that a lack of finances had stalled discussions.

He added: “I can see the council is between a rock and a hard place due to the financial pressures everyone has at the moment.

Julian's Bridge on the B3078 over the River Stour in Wimborne

“But the government gave £100m for active travel spend in Dorset, so this shouldn’t be out of the realms of possibility.

“Will it require someone being killed? We don’t want to sacrifice someone’s life when something can be done now.”

Others expressed differing views. One man on social media said: “Nothing wrong with the bridge, been driving over it for 20 years. It's very rare you see a pedestrian walking over it.”

A Dorset Council spokesperson said: “Dorset Council is continuing to work on options for how to improve conditions for people walking or wheeling at Julian's Bridge, with a feasibility study currently in progress.

“There are environmental and heritage constraints to any of the options under consideration which will need to be resolved before design work commences and an accurate budget for the work can be determined.”