Bournemouth, Motoring & Transport | Posted on March 11th, 2024 | return to news
First phase of Glenferness Avenue work completed – more to come
Two new bridges have been installed over the railway for walkers and cyclists, with local people attending an opening ceremony.
The first phase of work on Glenferness Avenue in Bournemouth has been completed with two new bridges having been installed over the railway for walkers and cyclists.
The official opening was attended by stakeholders from BCP Council, Bournemouth University, St Mark’s Church of England Primary School and Talbot Primary School, with two pupils cutting the ribbon.
The work was funded by central government’s Transforming Cities Fund.
Ramps and stepped cycle lanes have been added between Elgin Road and Alyth Road, with a new toucan crossing now in place just north of East Avenue. Improvements have also been made to the East Avenue/Glenferness Avenue road junction.
This new infrastructure forms a key part of a sustainable travel route between Bournemouth town centre and Talbot Woods, Winton and Wallisdown, with future plans for the route to be expanded all the way to Ferndown.
Cllr Andy Hadley, portfolio holder for climate response, environment and energy at BCP Council, said: “Glenferness Avenue is one of the key routes into the middle of Bournemouth, so these improvements will make a huge difference to everyone trying to get into and out of the town centre, however they’re travelling. The additional bridges mean a previous pinch point is now significantly safer, something which will be particularly welcomed by the local school community and our university students.”
Lauren Cannings, travel and transport manager at Bournemouth University, said: “Glenferness Avenue has always been a busy commuting route for staff and students travelling to the university’s Talbot campus. The previous bridge only had a single footpath for pedestrians and the narrow road lanes made it dangerous for cyclists to share the space.
“The new layout provides several improvements, including a new toucan crossing for safer movements, two bridges either side of the road which are wide enough for both pedestrians and cyclists to share, and dedicated cycle lanes on the approach so riders can safely join the traffic after crossing.
“A number of staff and students have already stopped me to comment on how the works have hugely improved their commute, especially our cycling and walking community who now feel safer travelling along Glenferness Road on their way to and from the campus.”
Andrew Bright, headteacher of St Mark’s Church of England Primary School, said: “The introduction of the new toucan crossing and bridges will improve the safety of our students and their families, and we are hoping to see a difference in the number of people deciding to actively travel to school on foot, by scooting or by bicycle.
“The improvements will benefit everybody, and we hope to see traffic positively impacted on local roads. We welcome improvements which allow families to travel to and from school in an active and sustainable way, allowing students to arrive at school fresh and ready to learn.”
Kate Curtis, headteacher of Talbot Primary School, said: “With the addition of the new toucan crossing and bridges, our students now have safer routes to school, encouraging more families to embrace walking, cycling and scooting as viable transportation choices.”
Local Bournemouth University student, Emilia Tomlinson, said: “As a student commuting daily to Bournemouth University, the new bridges and crossing have drastically improved how safe I feel cycling to uni. I’ve had some near misses with traffic when using the narrow road bridge in the past, but now I’m completely separate from the cars and as a result, I’ve found I’m cycling more than ever.”
The next phase of sustainable travel improvements on Glenferness Avenue between Talbot roundabout and just south of Elgin Road (north entrance) are now underway and due to finish in the summer.
This work includes:
- New parallel crossings (one near the southern approach of Talbot roundabout and one between Roslin Road South and Elgin Road)
- Stepped cycle lanes between Talbot roundabout and Alford Road
- Junction safety improvements and side road entry treatments installed at Roslin Road South (both sides) and Elgin Road
- Resurfacing of the carriageway between Talbot roundabout and Alford Road
- Resurfacing of the footways between Talbot roundabout and Alford Road
For more information about the sustainable travel work on Glenferness Avenue, visit www.bcpcouncil.gov.uk/tcfglenfernessavenue.
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