Construction of the new safe cycling and walking route across Kings Park is to begin on 15 November and will be running until September 2022.

The council has confirmed that during the work there will be occasions where the roads across Kings Park will need to be closed to traffic for the work to be carried out. During these times, diversion routes will be in place and notice of these diversions will be given in advance.

The work, which follows the recent installation of a toucan crossing directly linking the cycle and walking path across Harewood Avenue, is part of the Transforming Cities Fund (TCF) programme, and will form a section of the new 8km sustainable travel route connecting Bournemouth Station to Jumpers Common in Christchurch.

Councillor Mike Greene, BCP Council’s portfolio holder for Transport and Sustainability said: “This phase of the work brings real benefits for all users of Kings Park whilst helping to encourage sustainable travel. It provides the separate cycle and walking lanes, which many people have asked for, as well as extra lighting and new informal pedestrian crossings for improved safety when walking or running in the park, particularly after dark.”

The improvements will include:

• A new, separate cycle path will be installed next to the existing footpath between the Vitality Stadium and Harewood Avenue. This will create a 2m-wide footpath and a 3m-wide two-way cycle path, separated by an area of wildflower planting where space allows
• A new separate 3m-wide two-way cycle path and 2m-wide footpath separated by an area of wildflower planting will be installed alongside Kings Park Bowling Green
• Improved cycle and walking facility alongside the car park by the Vitality Stadium
• A new informal raised crossing will be installed over Kings Park Drive between the car park at the Vitality Stadium and Kings Park Bowling Green to slow traffic and provide a safer area for pedestrians to cross
• Improvements to existing lighting and installation of new lighting through the park to improve safety and security
• New wayfinding signage
• Disabled parking spaces will be relocated from the eastern side of the cricket pavilion and café to the Ashley Road side of the building. This will allow space for the construction of a new improved access ramp to the cricket pavilion and café
• Installation of new larger raised crossing, improved pedestrian facilities and cycle parking facilities outside the café
• Changing some parking bay locations on Kings Park Drive to create safe access along the new cycle track. Bollards will be installed on the existing line-marked cycle lane on King’s Park Drive to prevent vehicles from parking within it

The final phase of the Kings Park work (between Harewood Avenue and Sevenoaks Drive with estimated start/completion dates of summer 2022 to winter 2022) includes:

• Improvements to the existing shared use cycle and walking path between Kings Park and Cowell Drive, including widening where required, and vegetation clearance
• Other existing cycle and walking paths on the eastern side of Kings Park will be widened and resurfaced
• Upgrading existing lighting and installing new lighting to improve safety and security

Plans for these improvements were informed by responses gathered during public engagement late 2020 and formal consultation which ran 24 February to 31 March this year.

Information about the overall Kings Park scheme is available here.