The busy junction on Fernside Road in Poole is to be upgraded in order to make it safer, resulting in the closure of several roads for a period of time.

Work is to start on 21 February on the four-way junction where the road intersects with Hunt Road and St Mary’s Road and is due to be completed in April.

It will include installing new toucan crossings – which have space for both people walking and cycling to cross at the same time – on all arms of the four-way junction.

Also dropped kerbs will be constructed before and after all crossing points to allow people on bikes to cycle from the road to the crossings.

In addition, the carriageway and pavements will be resurfaced and additional wayfinding signs installed along St Mary’s Road.

This will all link in with further improvements proposed along St Mary’s Road including upgrades to the junctions at Garland Road and Shaftesbury Road. They form part of the programme of the new 27km sustainable travel route linking Poole town centre with Ferndown and Wimborne.

Cllr Mike Greene, BCP Council’s portfolio holder for Transport and Sustainability said: “Over 400 crossings are made by children and pedestrians at this busy junction every day. We’re really pleased to be installing toucan crossings on all four roads at this junction which will make a tremendous difference, ensuring children and people can walk and cycle safely across the roads. The improvements to the road signals will also result in better traffic flow.”

The road closures are: Hunt Road at its junction with Fernside Road, 21 to 26 February; St Mary’s Road at its junction with Fernside Road, 28 February to 5 March; Fernside Road, and the St Mary’s Road and Hunt Road side roads, 26 and 27 March.

Traffic cones and temporary traffic lights will be used as required at the Fernside Road, St Mary’s Road and Hunt Road junction from 6 to 25 March.

Residents, businesses and schools affected by road closures will be notified beforehand.