Mixed opinions from Ringwood Road Residents amid ongoing roadworks

Poole residents have voiced concerns over roadworks along one of the towns major routes,  describing it as “chaos” and “disruptive’. 

Residents said that the roads are being narrowed too much, the cycle paths are too wide and the work didn’t need to be carried out in the way it has been.

The works to Ringwood Road began in September 2024.

The improvements are said to include road resurfacing, new bus lanes being added, new cycle lanes, road narrowing and pedestrian pathways and cycle lanes widening, as well as zebra crossings and other safety improvements.  

Ongoing Major changes affect the road layout from Hunt Road to Mount Batten Roundabout. 

Local shop assistant Patryk Chlebos commented on the road works: “It’s not only caused chaos, but it’s also caused unhappiness within the locals.’

“The way of life is changing because they can’t park their cars and they can’t go to the shop.”  

“It’s making everything more difficult than it should be.”

“The business has been affected because no one wants to go down this road due to these road works. Business has definitely slowed down because of it.”

Glenn Mallen, Ringwood road resident,  said : “Right at the moment it’s pretty disruptive.”

“It’s having an impact on us being able to use our drive way, and the safety of us being able to use our driveway.” 

He added : “I’m keen to see people using a safe cycle path, but I think this is completely over-engineered for what we need in the area.”  

“As a cyclist myself, of course I am going to use it and of course with my two young children, I think it’s going to be a great benefit for them as well. I just think it’s too wide, it could have been a lot narrower. It didn’t need to be this big.”  

“If it keeps people safe that’s great, but I am worried that it’s narrowing the road quite substantially a bit further down Ringwood Road” 

 

Clementine Tuttle, local resident, explained: “I think the road needed to be re-done because it was a bit holey and a bit gross, but I don’t think they needed to do it how they’ve done it. They’ve made the road half the size.”

“They moved the crossings, and one time it took me around 10 minutes to cross the road.”  

“My mum had to do an emergency break, when a car was coming up, because there wasn’t enough space in the road.”  

“It’s impractical, but the road looks smooth, the actual road looks really good, I guess it’s changing the world, and we are going forward into the future.”  

Stefan Hedley-Cheney, local, said : “ I think they’re useful. Obviously they’re doing something positive to the local area otherwise they wouldn’t be doing it here.”

“Evidently it has taken quite a long time, it’s been a few months, I know that because I live locally and it has impacted traffic quite a bit.” 

“Cycling to work, there’s been temporary traffic lights, that’s slowed me down on my way to work in the mornings, especially as I leave quite early and there’s no cars, so there’s no reason for there to be traffic lights at that time.”  

“The cycle lanes are good for cyclists and promotes environmental friendliness.”

“Overall, I think the roadworks will have a positive impact on the local area.”