POOLE motorists may see some disruptions to their journeys in the near future as the first phase of work to construct major bus, walking, cycling and road improvements begins.

Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council is undertaking a series of travel improvements from September 2 to spring 2025 at two locations on Ringwood Road: between Sea View Road and Balston Road; and between Alderney Roundabout and Mountbatten Roundabout.

The work, funded by central government, is part of bus, walking, cycling and road junction improvements including resurfacing along Ringwood Road between Hunt Road and Mountbatten Roundabout to improve safety, encourage active travel and reduce traffic congestion.

It will connect existing sustainable travel routes into Poole, Wallisdown, Talbot Woods and Bournemouth, with future plans for the route to link all the way to Ferndown and Wimborne.

The following traffic management will be in place to facilitate the work:

• September 17 to February 18, 2025: northbound closure on Sea View Road between Ringwood Road and Grove Road. No right turn from Ringwood Road into Sea View Road. Southbound traffic on Ringwood Road will still be able to turn left into Sea View Road
• Temporary two-way traffic lights at the Sea View Road / Ringwood Road junction from September 17 – 24 and from November 22 – December 2
• A series of lane closures between Alderney Roundabout and Mountbatten Roundabout from September 9 until February 2025

Estimated dates for lane closures between Alderney Roundabout and Mountbatten Roundabout:

• September 9: northbound overnight road closure (7pm-6am)
• September 10: southbound overnight road closure; northbound single lane closure (7pm-6am)
• September 9 to October 30: northbound single lane closure
• October 30 to January 16: southbound single lane closure; from November 11 onwards whenever possible these will be removed to allow two-lane traffic flow
• November 11 to January 16: some ad-hoc single northbound lane closures may be required
• January 17, 2025 to February 6, 2025: northbound and southbound single lane closures
• Further closures will be needed at the end of the work for road resurfacing – details will be shared in the new year.

Sea View Road / Ringwood Road diversion route Picture: BCP Council

Diversion routes will be signposted. Access for pedestrians and cyclists will be maintained throughout the works.

The work between Sea View Road and Balston Road will see improvements to the junction  of Ringwood Road and Sea View Road, with upgrades made to walking and cycling provision, bus stop improvements on both the eastern and western side of Ringwood Road, junction improvements at Walton Road and Balston Road, including kerb-buildouts to improve pedestrian crossing, and the removal of the dedicated right-turn filter lane on Ringwood Road at its junction with Balston Road. Vehicles will still be able to turn right into Balston Road.

Improvements between Alderney Roundabout and Mountbatten Roundabout will see a shared use path on the western side of Ringwood Road from Mountbatten Roundabout to the existing underpass at Dolbery Road North and two-way cycle lanes on the eastern side of Ringwood Road from Mountbatten Roundabout to Alderney Roundabout.

These will connect with facilities on Wallisdown Road, Bourne Valley Nature Reserve, and create a bypass around Alderney Roundabout. This will include some small section of shared use path.

There will also be junction improvements at Belben Road and Bedford Road South and bus stop improvements at locations just north of Alderney Roundabout on the eastern side of Ringwood Road.

Councillor Andy Hadley, Portfolio Holder for Climate Response, Environment and Energy at BCP Council, said: “It’s good to see this major investment into one of our region’s busiest roads get underway.

“The construction period will inevitably cause disruption, and I’d like to thank everyone in advance for their patience. Please allow extra time for your journeys.”

Milestone Infrastructure has been appointed by BCP Council to undertake construction of the improvements.

The second of two public information drop-in events about the planned work takes place between 2pm and 7pm on Wednesday 18 September at The Newtown, 374 Ringwood Road, Poole BH12 3LT.

Full details of all the improvements and associated traffic management are available via bcpcouncil.gov.uk/ringwood-road.