PLANS are in place to build a new contraflow cycle lane in Bournemouth.
BCP Council are planning to allow contraflow cycling on two Boscombe roads, including Boscombe Grove Road and South Road, both of which are one-way streets.
The contraflow system, which means cyclists can cycle in the opposite direction towards oncoming cars, is anticipated to be built in early summer 2023, subject to final approval of the design plans.
There will also be a marked cycle facility on Curzon Road between Boscombe Grove Road and South Road and these facilities will provide a cycling link to the bridge on St Clement’s Road.
Read more: Cycle lanes in Christchurch Road in Boscombe are ‘unusable’
These form part of walking and cycling improvements planned along Bournemouth’s Ashley Road that are part of Transforming Cities Fund (TCF) programme’s sustainable travel route running between Bournemouth Railway Station and Jumpers Common.
Funding is coming from part of a £79m bursary by the Department for Transport jointly awarded to BCP Council and Dorset Council for south east Dorset.
A spokeswoman for BCP Council said: “Plans are subject to final approval. Following this, any temporary traffic management required to support construction will be planned and residents notified in advance of any disruption.
Read more: Cycle lane work in Wallisdown Road delayed for weeks
“BCP Council will work with the building contractor to minimise any disruption caused to residents by the works.”
Lucie Allen, chair of BH Active Travel, said contrafloiw cycle lanes are “really useful” for cyclists but only if the lane is segregated from the traffic.
She said: “In general, contraflow cycle lanes are fine when they give the cyclist a route that is quick and direct but, only if the cycle lane is protected with wands, a segregated step (different level) or armadillos.
“Contraflows are a really useful tool in road planning, especially when the road is not wide enough for two way traffic, but with one way only, allows enough space for cyclists to use the road both ways.”
Elsewhere in Boscombe, down the road in Christchurch Road, cars have been parked on the cycle lane, which has angered some cyclists.
Cyclists have branded the lane “unusable” because of the number of cars parking on double yellow lines.
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