Cycle paths, which link Wimborne with the Canford Bottom roundabout, are to be extended to the Tricketts Cross roundabout in Ferndown.

The next phase of the cycle, walking and bus infrastructure works will be along the 1.5km section of Wimborne Road between Cobham Road and Canford Bottom Roundabout. Construction is to start in early March and is due for completion in the autumn.

It will form part of the 27km green travel route linking Wimborne and Ferndown with Poole town centre.

The work includes:

• Converting the existing footway on the north side of Wimborne Road West between Canford Bottom Roundabout and Cobham Road to a new 3.5m-wide shared use facility for both walking and cycling, with wildflower planting along the route. This will connect into the Castleman Trailway and the existing walking and cycling facilities on Canford Bottom Roundabout.
• Upgrading bus stops along the route, with new shelters and real time information introduced, and improved accessibility.
• Removing the dedicated right-turn lane for traffic into Stapehill Abbey to provide space for the shared use walking and cycling path. Vehicles will still be able to turn right into the road.
• Improving the junctions at Stapehill Road and Uddens Drive.
• Improving Cobham Road, with the junction redesigned and new technology introduced. The dedicated left-turn lane into Ferndown Industrial Estate will remain. New crossings will be installed, with a segregated cycle and pedestrian crossing over Cobham Road and a pedestrian crossing over Wimborne Road providing access to the westbound bus stop.
• Upgrading bus stop locations along the route, including two new shelters at Uddens Drive.
• Improved wayfinding signage for pedestrians, cyclists and mobility scooter users.
• Two bus stop laybys and one regular layby on the north side of the road will be removed to provide space for the shared path.

The improvements will connect to the Castleman Trailway and other existing cycle routes on Leigh Road and Ham Lane. They will also connect with future TCF schemes on Ringwood Road.

Dorset Council will also be working with Southern Gas Networks (SGN) on this project, and a gas main between Uddens Drive and Cobham Road will be replaced at the same time. Southern Gas Network’s project starts on 7 February.

Phase two covers the section of Wimborne Road between Trickett’s Cross Roundabout and West Moors Road.  Work is due to start in late March with completion anticipated for autumn.

Phase two works include:

• A new toucan crossing on Wimborne Road East near Trickett’s Cross Roundabout.
• Converting the existing footway on the north side of Wimborne Road East to a new shared path between Trickett’s Cross Roundabout and West Moors Road.
• More priority for cyclists and pedestrians at the junctions of Wimborne Road East and adjoining roads on the north side.
• Accessibility improvements, including dropped kerbs and tactile paving, at the junctions of Wimborne Road East and adjoining roads on the south side.
• Improved wayfinding signage for pedestrians, cyclists and mobility scooter users.

To minimise traffic disruption and maximise efficiencies, construction will be undertaken in sections up to 400m long. Traffic will be managed with a mix of traffic lights and stop/go boards. Some road closures and diversions will be required; affected businesses and residents will be informed about these around two weeks beforehand.

The final third phase of work on Wimborne Road between Cobham Road and West Moors Road is anticipated to start following completion of phase one in the autumn. Design work is ongoing for this phase and further information will be provided at a later date.

Cllr Ray Bryan, Dorset Council’s portfolio holder for Highways, Travel and Environment said: “South East Dorset is one of the most congested regions in the country.We are proud to be investing in safe, sustainable ways of getting around locally without having to rely on the car all the time. The new cycle, walking and bus improvements along Wimborne Road provide quick and easy ways of travelling to and from residential areas, local schools and centres of employment including Ferndown town centre and Ferndown Industrial Estate.

“We have been particularly keen to take the views of local residents and businesses into consideration when developing these plans. We hope that once completed, these improvements will significantly benefit the Ferndown area and provide much needed upgrades to the local transport infrastructure.

“The route will connect into the current sustainable travel improvements on Leigh Road and Ringwood Road eventually creating a continuous link between Wimborne, Ferndown, Longham and further afield to Poole, Bournemouth and Christchurch. We are excited about these improvements which will transform local travel, help to reduce road congestion and pollution, improve air quality and bring both economic and health benefits.”

Danny Godfrey, chairman of Ferndown and Uddens Business Improvement District said: “We welcome the improvements along Wimborne Road that will make walking, cycling or catching the bus to work much more appealing. There are many benefits to active travel, not only physical and mental health benefits but also journey reliability and doing your bit for the environment by reducing car emissions. With over 4,000 people working on the Ferndown Industrial Estate, we look forward to the completion of the project and local workers being able to use the new facilities.”