The next initiatives to be introduced are trial traffic measures to Whitecliff Road and Darby’s Lane in Poole from next Monday 17 August.

Funded by the government’s emergency active travel fund, the schemes contribute to the council’s aims of tackling the climate and ecological emergency.

Whitecliff Road will be closed to all motor traffic at Keyhole Bridge, with timber planters allowing only walking and cycling under the bridge.

Similarly, Darby’s Lane will be closed to all motor traffic at the junction with Wimborne Road and Fernside Road, again using timber planters plus appropriate signage. Motor vehicle access to adjacent businesses and residential roads will not be affected and the timing of traffic signals at the New Inn and Dorchester Road junctions will be adjusted to account for the change in traffic flows.

Councillor Andy Hadley, portfolio holder for Transport and Infrastructure, BCP Council, said, “Targeted low traffic neighbourhood measures such as these encourage walking and cycling for short journeys, without anyone losing access to homes and businesses. In this way we can produce safer communities while simultaneously pursuing a sustainable environment.”

BCP Council is implementing these trial schemes under an experimental traffic regulation order, with residents invited to have their say on the changes over the next six months before any decision is made on making them permanent.