Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership (Dorset LEP) is investing £1.3 million that it has secured from the Government’s Local Growth Fund towards an overall £3.3million programme of economy enhancing improvements in the western part of Wallisdown.
The scheme will be delivered by BCP Council and begin with a series of prioritised works on the A3049. Focussing on an important connecting route between Bournemouth and Poole, the scheme will deliver pedestrian and cycle improvements along the A3049, from Mountbatten Roundabout to the Bryant Road Junction.
The investment into the Wallisdown West area forms part of a series of local infrastructure projects. Future improvements will be delivered by BCP Council at the junction of the A348 (Ringwood Road) and B3061 (Sea View Road), as well as cycle and pedestrian improvements along the A348 Ringwood Road, between Mountbatten and Alderney roundabouts.
All schemes will be completed before the end of 2023. The £1.3m secured by Dorset LEP will be used exclusively to deliver the prioritised works on A3049 Wallisdown West and the other schemes will now utilise funding allocated from Local Transport Plan (LTP) and the Transforming Cities Fund (TCF) programme.
Together these schemes aim to reduce congestion and improve connectivity to Bournemouth Airport, the Port of Poole, Bournemouth University and Ferndown, Bournemouth and Poole town centres. They will link to, and complement wider works completed on Wallisdown Road in Spring 2020 and the ongoing improvements at Boundary Roundabout.
Dorset LEP Chair, Jim Stewart said: “Dorset LEP is committed to investing in infrastructure to support, grow and future-proof our local economy. This funding secured via the Local Growth Fund will directly benefit one of Dorset’s busiest transport corridors. By reducing congestion and improving connectivity these improvements will be an important, positive change for local businesses and the wider community.”
Councillor Andy Hadley, Cabinet Member for Transport and Infrastructure at BCP Council, said: “Encouraging more sustainable and active travel in the area, the funding will be used to improve walking, cycling and public transport facilities along a key local transport route. This will improve local air quality, deliver health benefits for the community, enhance connectivity and support more reliable journey times.’’
The FWP Corridor project forms part of the Bournemouth International Growth (BIG) Programme and brings the total growth dealing funding secured by Dorset LEP for its BIG Programme investment to £48.2m.