A NEW two-way bus route into Bournemouth town centre has been proposed by BCP Council.

This is one of a range of proposals suggested to improve bus services in the town, with residents, businesses and visitors now being asked to share their views on how services can get better.

A five-week consultation has begun, and will run until Tuesday, April 2.

Residents are encouraged to complete a survey under the government-funded Bus Service Improvement Plan, a commitment to the National Bus Strategy by BCP Council and bus operators.

The consultation focuses on bus travel between the Bournemouth Travel Interchange and town centre, with several improvement measures proposed.

These are split into four areas: Holdenhurst Road, Old Christchurch Road, Gervis Place/Hinton Road Junction and Westover Road.

Proposals include the new two-way route, which will improve journey times and reduce delays.

Other plans are improved passenger waiting facilities with new shelters, widened pavements, real time information and CCTV.

The plans will reduce congestion, improve traffic flow, air quality and connectivity.

Councillor Andy Hadley, portfolio holder for climate response, environment and energy, said: “Bournemouth Travel Interchange to the town centre is a key route causing delays for passengers, with a nine-minute journey from the station to the square often taking up to 50 minutes during the busiest months.

“This affects more than 40 different bus services which operate in this area daily, so tackling this key section will make a big difference to the reliability of bus services across the conurbation.

“I’d encourage as many people as possible to complete this survey and share their views on our proposed plans, which focus on several key areas for improvement that will benefit pedestrians, people living with a disability and local businesses with more efficient, accessible bus services that encourage more people to choose this mode of travel.”

This follows the Bus Back better consultation in 2021 and 2022, after £8.9million was secured to deliver the Bus Service Improvement Plan.

This consultation is the next phase in this, with feedback used to create a detailed plan of improvements in May, before further consultation in the summer, to deliver improvements in early 2025.

The survey can be completed online on BCP Council’s have your say website.

There will be two roadshow events at Bournemouth University on March 5 and Bournemouth Arcade on March 21, with an online event on March 13.