Work starts on new cycle lane for Wimborne

By Josh Wright, LDRS.

THE first work on the £100 million Transforming Cities Fund project to improve transport routes across south east Dorset has begun.

Preparation has been started to facilitate a series of measures for pedestrians and cyclists between the edge of Wimborne and the Canford Bottom roundabout.

The project which will include the construction of a largely segregated cycleway along Leigh Road and Wimborne Road West through Colehill has been described as “much-needed”.

BCP Council and Dorset Council were awarded almost £80 million earlier this year which has been topped up to almost £100 million by the councils as well as other organisations.

Encompassing largely the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole area but also some of its surrounding towns, the project will see two new “connectivity corridors” and four “cycle freeways” built.

The first part of construction work is due to begin at the beginning of 2021 with preparation for the 2.3km section of Leigh Road and Wimborne Road West now underway.

Expected to be completed by next autumn, it will see a largely segregated cycleway built, new crossings on Leigh Road, a speed limit reduction to 30mph and junction improvements.

It has been welcomed by Dorset Council’s cabinet member for transport, councillor Ray Bryan.

“This exciting and much-needed investment in sustainable infrastructure in Wimborne will transform local travel options, connecting people safely to local jobs and education while also helping to reduce carbon emissions,” he said.

“Currently, there is no traffic-free cycle provision along the 40mph Leigh Road. Cyclists must either travel on the busy road – which carries over 12,000 vehicles a day – or illegally use the pavements.

“The improvements planned at Leigh Road are part of our ambition to make south east Dorset a cleaner, greener, healthier place to live, work, and do business.”

James Cleeton, Sustrans’ director for the south of England, said the work would fill in the gap on the National Cycle Network and would enable more people to either cycle or walk along the route.

Construction work along the route will begin in January and will be carried out in 400m sections in a bid to reduce disruption.