Plans to make Ferndown's Victoria Road more pleasant for all

With support from Dorset Council Ferndown Town Council will remove deteriorating benches and planters to make way for a new sustainable planting scheme and functional seating.

The council is due to begin work on Victoria Road on the 20th of January.

This follows positive discussions with Ferndown Town Council and teams within Dorset.

Initial conversations put forward by Ferndown ward members Cllr Cathy Lugg and Cllr Mike Parkes led to Litter Free Dorset carrying out an engagement exercise.

The exercise revealed people liked the idea of benches and planters.

The current benches and planters have deteriorated beyond repair, which has allowed improvements to start being made.

The new landscaping will incorporate new seating to replace deteriorated benches. Image: Cat Lindsay

Leader of the Dorset Council, Cllr Nick Ireland, said he was “really pleased” the work could begin this early on in the year.

The works include removing the old planters to make way for a “carefully designed landscaping scheme”.

He feels that these improvements will make Victoria Road a “more pleasant experience”.

Planters outside The Ferndown Centre. Image: Cat Lindsay

A key focus for the new scheme will be protecting biodiversity.

It will incorporate mature, specially selected trees and sustainable landscaping to keep the area vibrant and environmentally conscious.

Ferndown Town Council hope to design a ‘future-ready town’ by working with local businesses and experts.

Mayor of Ferndown, Cllr Terry Cordery said it is a “wonderful opportunity” and the people of Ferndown will have “access to a more flexible environment which will bring us benefits for many years to come”.