Merley road works completed after next phase also revealed

The new developments, which have been funded by the south east Dorset Transforming Cities Fund (TCF) program, include a variety of developments to help make the road safer for the public.

These developments include a new, wider share use path and junction improvements with safer crossing for those walking and cycling.

In addition to this, there is now also refurbished bus shelters with raised access, to help people get on and off the bus more easily.

This will be the first phase of a series of road works between Gravel Hill and Bear Cross Roundabout. The BCP council have planned to form part of the new 13km green travel route between Merley in north Poole and Christchurch.

Councillor Mike Greene, who is the Portfolio Holder for Sustainability and Transport, said: “It is to try and produce the opportunity for people to decide that they don’t need to travel by car all the time but instead travel by more sustainable transport, or particularly walking and cycling.

“We don’t want to force people into a choice of how to travel, we want to give him a choice. We want to make it your travel, your choice.”

Work on the next phase of road developments are now underway in this area, which will continue the new cycle, walking and bus service facilities along Magna Road.

This work in the next stage of the project is expected to complete by March 2022, and will include better junctions to improve crossing and new, wider paths to create more space for cyclists and pedestrians.

Cllr Greene, added: “Our next big change if you like, is going to be over the course of many years and is put in place through the local walking and cycling infrastructure plan. Let’s take this wide mesh that we have on sustainable transport routes and now let’s try and make it a bit finer. Let’s try and improve the walking and cycling for those that are inside that.”