NUMEROUS roads in Poole around the Quay and High Street will be closed throughout the festive period ahead of the town’s first light festival.

Just over one month after Poole High Street and Quay reopened to motor traffic, the roads will close again to cater for visitors expected for the first-ever Poole Christmas Maritime Light Festival, which will run for six weeks from November 19.

BCP Council said the decision was made following consultations with businesses and residents.

A council spokesperson said: “We are expecting a high number of visitors during our Poole Maritime Light Festival. In consultation with Poole Business Improvement District and businesses, alongside consultation via two engagement events and individual feedback, a Temporary Traffic Regulation Order will be in place between November 12 through to January 8, 2023.”

Bournemouth Echo: Road closures returning to Poole during festive seasonRoad closures returning to Poole during festive season

The closures in place will be: High Street from its junction with Castle Street/New Street to its junction with Poole Quay.

  • Closed to traffic, no parking, no loading/unloading except for permitted users from 12pm to 10pm each day. Height restriction of 4.5 metres to traffic.

Poole Quay from its junction with Thames Street to the mini roundabout at the end of Old Orchard.

  • Closed to traffic, no parking no loading/unloading except for permitted users from 12pm to 10pm hours each day.

Bournemouth Echo: The Quay in Poole closed to motor traffic. Pictures: Poole PoliceThe Quay in Poole closed to motor traffic. Pictures: Poole Police

Six-month closures to motor vehicles have been in place at the Quay and High Street from April 1 to October 31 for two years in a row.

This means, when taking the upcoming closures into account, the Quay and High Street will have only been open to motor traffic for just over three months this year.

Jeanette Walsh, owner of high street sweet shop Truly Scrumptious, was among business stakeholders consulted on the project.

She told the Echo: “I think it’s amazing that BCP Council and the BID are putting on this festival, but I’d say if it wasn’t being held then the road should be open to traffic as usual at this time of year.

Bournemouth Echo: CGI of the planned Poole Christmas Maritime Light Festival 'light curtain' over the High StreetCGI of the planned Poole Christmas Maritime Light Festival 'light curtain' over the High Street

“When footfall increases, which we hope to see, businesses will be open later and we’re staying open later every Thursday, Friday and Saturday during the festival – so we hope it will be spectacular.”

When asked whether she felt the roads should remain closed to traffic all year round, Jeanette said: “No, I think we have a happy medium at the moment – it’s just this year that’s different because of the festival. We have to see how successful this year’s event is.”

Poole councillor Andy Hadley has said local businesses were “evenly split” about year round closure.

Last year, Fisherman Café owner Mike Bennett told the Echo year round closures would be “suicide” for some businesses and cited disabled access as another cause for concern.