Regeneration of busy area of Bournemouth approved

By Josh Wright, Local Democracy Reporting Service

Work on the multi-million pound project to revamp much of the Lansdowne area of Bournemouth is “pretty much ready to go”, the councillor responsible for regeneration has said.

BCP Council's cabinet approved the latest iteration of the scheme when they met on Wednesday, despite being told it was “not the ideal solution”, with planned pedestrianisation completely scrapped.

But councillor Phil Broadhead, who is also deputy leader, said there were still “significant benefits” and that plans needed to be progressed to ensure a March funding deadline was met.

The project will see a new events space, segregated cycleway and arts installations and seating areas created along Holdenhurst Road in a bid to encourage outside investment in the area.

When first considered by Bournemouth council, it had been planned for it to also include the closure of the road to make it fully pedestrianised.

Increasing costs and pressure from bus companies saw this scaled back to allow bus access but the newly-approved scheme will allow all traffic to use the route.

Cllr Broadhead said this had been done due to concerns about congestion on nearby roads and due to a need to meet the deadline set by the Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership.

It has required work be implemented by March as a condition for it providing £4.8 million towards the £7.7 million project.

BCP Council’s cabinet approved the latest scheme when they met on Wednesday (November 11).

Speaking at the meeting, Cllr Broadhead said “detailed design work” had already been completed and that “spades are pretty much ready to go in the ground”.

“This isn’t the ideal solution,” he said. “I think that would have been the original one of completely pedestrianising and transforming the area.

“It’s disappointing that we’re in this position but we do have a decision to make and the scheme in front of us is still very positive.

“And this is not the end game. I’m hopeful we can use this as a springboard not only to bring investment in the area but also to perhaps one day go back to the original scheme and remove motorised traffic.”

Members of the cabinet unanimously supported approving the plans, giving the green light for work to go ahead.

Speaking after the meeting, Cllr Broadhead described the decision as “a major stepping stone”.

“Having listened to the Lansdowne community, these initial improvements will focus on supporting local businesses, economic recovery and better ways of travel,” he said.

The council said the approved plans were the “first phase” of improvements in the area.