Work to provide new cycle paths along Wimborne Road between Denmark Lane and the New Inn junction in Poole is to begin in May.

It is the first section to be built of the seven kilometre green travel route linking Poole town centre with Merley. It will link key employment, retail and education facilities including Poole High School, Longfleet Primary School and Oakdale Junior School, Canford Heath Junior School, Poole Hospital, Barclays House and Nuffield Industrial Estate.

The work is being undertaken by BCP Council in a joint project between BCP and Dorset councils.

Improvements along Wimborne Road between Serpentine Road and Kings Close (up to the New Inn junction) include:

• Improving the Serpentine Road Roundabout with three new parallel crossings on raised tables, with footways converted to shared use for both pedestrians and cyclists
• Installing new cycle lanes on both sides of Wimborne Road between Heckford Road and New Inn junction, protected from the carriageway by a kerb with raised table crossing priority over adjoining roads
• Upgrading the Tatnam Road/Garland Road junction, including new parallel and toucan crossings
• A new zebra crossing on Garland Road
• A new pedestrian crossing just north of Sherrin Close/Winterbourne Road junction
• New bus shelters and improving bus stop layouts

The first phase of work will start at the Serpentine Road Roundabout on 16 May.

Improvements at the New Inn junction on Wimborne Road will follow next year and include:

• Dedicated space for cyclists linking to/from Darbys Lane, new crossing points for pedestrians and cyclists, traffic signal upgrades, and barriers removed for cyclists accessing Mellstock Road
• Widening pavements and converting them to shared use, providing more space for people cycling and walking around the junction
• Left turns from Fernside Road into Wimborne Road will be banned subject to the outcome of a separate statutory process and the dedicated turning lane removed to provide space for the new crossings

Disruption to the travelling public will be minimised through a combination of traffic lights and temporary road closures. Construction will be undertaken in sections and affected businesses and residents will be informed about these around two weeks beforehand.

Cllr Mike Greene, BCP Council’s portfolio holder for transport and sustainability, said: “We are pleased to be investing in safe, sustainable ways of travelling to and from Poole town centre along this busy road. The new cycle, walking and bus infrastructure improvements on Wimborne Road provide quick, safe and easy ways of travelling to and from key residential and business areas, and local schools.

“The improvements along Wimborne Road will connect into the wider sustainable travel route along Darbys Lane and Canford Heath Road to Gravel Hill creating a continuous link between central Poole and Merley. They form part of our commitment to transforming local travel which will reduce road congestion and pollution, improve air quality and bring economic and health benefits.”