In its bid to improve safety for walkers and cyclists, BCP Council has submitted a planning application for improvements to be made to the bridge across the railway line on Glenferness Avenue.

The application seeks permission for the construction of a new walking and cycling bridge over the railway line to the west of the road bridge and for the existing footbridge located to the east of the road bridge to be removed and replaced with a new wider bridge to be used by both walkers and cyclists. The road bridge itself will remain unaltered.

Currently, people cycling along Glenferness Avenue have to cross over the railway line using the narrow six-metre wide road bridge, which is over 120 years old. Cyclists are often ‘squeezed’ close to the parapet walls when vehicles overtake them on the bridge. The new bridges will provide a separate, safe space for people to walk and cycle across the railway line away from traffic; traffic-flow over the bridge is also expected to improve as a result of this work.

Details of the planning application include:

• A new 4m-wide shared use walking and cycling bridge installed on the western side of the road bridge
• Replacement of the existing footbridge on the eastern side of the road bridge, with a new 4m-wide pedestrian and cycle bridge
• The new bridges, straddling either side of the road bridge, will include separate space for walkers and cyclists (delineated by painted lines)
• The design of the bridges has been developed in close consultation with the council’s tree, ecology and planning teams to reflect the character and setting of the conservation area. The cycle ramp walls will be constructed using red bricks to match the existing road bridge, with dark green bridge parapets and mesh infill to maximise light and visibility for users.

The new cycle and footbridges will link in with a series of improvements proposed along Glenferness Avenue including new protected cycle tracks and new parallel and toucan crossings. They form part of the new 14km sustainable travel route between Bournemouth town centre and Ferndown, largely funded by a central government grant as part of the south east Dorset Transforming Cities Fund (TCF)1 scheme, aimed at reducing congestion, improving air quality and encouraging healthy, active travel across the region.

Cllr Mike Greene, BCP Council’s portfolio holder for transport and sustainability, said: “This is a much-needed improvement for the area and it is great that we have been able to secure central government funding to pay for the majority of this project.

“The new and improved bridges on Glenferness Avenue will mean people can safely and confidently walk and cycle across the railway line. This is a busy and important route connecting the town to Winton, Wallisdown and Bournemouth University campus and the new bridges will greatly improve connectivity to a wide variety of local destinations by cycling and walking.

“These proposed bridge improvements, which have been carefully and sensitively designed to preserve the character of this conservation area, will dramatically improve safety for all users, future proofing the way people travel as well as encouraging active, sustainable journeys to work, education and leisure.”

Public consultation on the Glenferness Avenue plans was held between 24 February and 31 March last year. A decision on the planning application for the bridge improvements is expected by summer and, pending planning approval, work on the bridge is provisionally scheduled to commence in late 2022.