BOROUGH OF POOLE

TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY GROUP – THURSDAY 10 MARCH 2005

REPORT OF HEAD OF TRANSPORTATION SERVICES

ON CYCLE LANES IN FERNSIDE ROAD.

1.Purpose of Report and Policy Context

1.1To consider the provision of cycle lane markings as part of the resurfacing works planned for Fernside Road.

1.2The development of cycleways is in line with the Borough’s Policy on cycling, which states that a safe, secure and convenient network of cycleways will be developed to encourage this particular form of transport.

2.Recommendations

2.1It is recommended that Members approve the cycleways in Fernside Road as shown in Appendix A.

3.Background

3.1The resurfacing of Fernside Road, between the New Inn and Shah of Persia, is included within the current year’s structural maintenance programme. This presents the opportunity to provide on-street advisory cycle lanes throughout the entire length when repainting the road markings, as shown on plan as Appendix A.

3.2The cycleway displaces no parking and would have a negligible effect on vehicular traffic by simply reducing the lane widths. Indeed, experience from elsewhere has shown that when traffic lane widths are reduced in this way, it has a positive effect in slowing traffic down.

3.3The markings would provide a positive message to drivers that they are sharing road space with cyclists. This would be further supplemented by green surfacing at the junction with Pound Lane/Tesco Express where there is a high amount of turning traffic and drivers need to be aware.

3.4This facility would serve not only as a main commuter route to the Civic Centre commercial area and Poole Hospital, but also the nearby St. Mary’s and Longfleet Combined schools. This would also intersect the Canford Heath to Poole Town Centre cycle route at Hunt Road / St Marys Road.

3.5It is also proposed to paint KEEP CLEAR across the car park entrance to Wards store at the corner of Fernside Road and Ringwood Road. In addition a loading ban in the viscinity of the Tescos Express is currently being considered by the Canford Heath East and West, Creekmoor and Oakdale Area Committee, although this is not sufficiently advanced to be incorporated into this resurfacing scheme.

3.6Unfortunately it has not been possible to provide a suitable cycle provision leading into the Shah of Persia junction itself, particularly as this type of improvement is so often requested by cycling groups. It would be more appropriate to consider such a detail as part of a comprehensive review of the entire junction at the Shah of Persia in the future.

3.5The additional cost over the surfacing scheme, approximately £3,500, can be found from the overall structural maintenance budget.

JAMES T BRIGHT

Head of Transportation Services

Appendix A-Cycleway Scheme Fernside Road

Name and Telephone Number of Officer Contact:

Steve Tite (01202) 262020

TAG100305T3F

Please note: appendices to this report are not available electronically – please contact Democratic Services on 01202 633026

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