The final phase of the construction of new walking and cycle paths on Wimborne Road – from Cobham Road to West Moors Road – in Ferndown begin in October.

Being delivered by Dorset Council and funded through the south east Dorset Transforming Cities Fund (TCF)1, the work includes:

• the construction of new cycle and walking paths along the north side of Wimborne Road
• building two new, traffic light controlled, segregated pedestrian and cycle crossings over Cobham Road and West Moors Road
• upgrading the bus stops
• upgrading the existing pedestrian crossing outside of the Pure Drop Inn across to Ferndown School
• re-modelling and introducing new technology traffic lights and crossings at the junctions of Ameysford Rd/Church Road, Queens Road/Victoria Road and West Moors Road

Construction will start at the Wimborne Road East/Cobham Road junction, at the entrance to the Ferndown Industrial Estate on 17 October. A set of three-way temporary traffic lights will be in operation until early 2023. Work has been scheduled to follow essential gas main installation work being undertaken by Southern Gas Network (SGN) at the same location, to ensure synergy of works and minimise traffic disruption.

Work on the first two phases of the route along Wimborne Road West and East through Ferndown are nearing completion. Phase one work (Wimborne Road West – Canford Bottom Roundabout to Cobham Road) is expected to be completed by the end of 2022 and phase two work (Wimborne Road East – Trickett’s Cross Roundabout to West Moors Road) is due to be completed by the end of September.

It is expected that the entire 4.3km route of new cycle, walking and bus infrastructure improvements along Wimborne Road in Ferndown (from Canford Bottom to Trickett’s Cross roundabouts) will be complete by winter 2023.  They form part of the green travel route linking Wimborne and Ferndown with Poole town centre, including the new cycle and walking paths and new bus improvements, already in use along Leigh Road, Wimborne Road West and Ringwood Road.

Cllr Ray Bryan, Dorset Council’s portfolio holder for Highways, Travel and Environment, said: “We are really pleased with the progress being made with this major sustainable travel project which will transform local travel and reduce traffic congestion and pollution. Once completed it will provide a 7.5km green travel route from Wimborne, through Colehill, safely across the Canford Bottom Roundabout and then all the way to the Ferndown Industrial Estate, Ferndown schools and the shopping and leisure facilities of Ferndown and beyond.

“This route also forms a section of the new sustainable travel route which will link Ferndown to Poole town centre. This will definitely encourage more people to adopt cycling, walking, and taking the bus, a wise move in these times of high fuel prices, as well as providing a safe pathway for those using mobility scooters.”

Philip Jones, headteacher at Ferndown Upper School, said: “We are looking forward to these new facilities being built. Many of our pupils already walk or cycle to school so these new facilities will help a lot, particularly in terms of their safety. I hope these improvements encourage even more to cycle and walk to school. The improved crossing on Wimborne Road, outside our school, is very much appreciated as well.”