WORKS to a busy Bournemouth roundabout have been slammed as a "disgraceful misuse" of funds before the project has even been finished.

The "safety improvement" scheme at Tuckton Roundabout has been carried out by Bournemouth Borough Council engineers since March.

After a break for the summer, work resumed at the start of September, with completion expected in late-October.

The project has seen raised parallel crossings with central islands for pedestrians and cyclists installed on each arm of the roundabout.

However, this concept has raised questions for residents in the area.

John Cowan, who lives in Southbourne, said: "The upheaval and disruption has been significant and the main result is worsened traffic congestion cause by the proximity of the pedestrian crossings to the roundabout, something that was obvious to the average man in the street, but not apparently to the council's highway engineers. Is anyone safer? I very much doubt it.

"The cycle crossings are virtually unused. Worst of all, nothing has been done to reduce the total blockage in Tuckton Road when Tesco is receiving deliveries.

"I would like to know how much it has cost council tax payers to achieve such an unimpressive result.

"It's nothing short of a disgraceful misuse of public funds which would have been better spent on social care."

Bournemouth Borough Council disputed Mr Cowan's claims.

The local authority said the roundabout had a "poor casualty record", especially with cyclist injuries.

It is claimed the objectives of the works are to:

  • Reduce casualty collisions on the roundabout, with 12 road casualties at the roundabout in the 5 years prior to the scheme according to police
  • Improve accessibility for pedestrians crossing the roundabout by providing zebra crossings
  • Improve facilities for cyclists to bypass the roundabout by widening the footways and making them shared areas for cyclists
  • Link cycle facilities with cycle route from Hengistbury Head to Stour Valley
  • Resolve congestion outside Tesco Express resulting from existing loading facilities by widening the road

A Bournemouth Borough Council spokesperson said: "The council receives a huge number of strongly stated but conflicting views about what it should do with road layouts.

"Many are stated from the perspective of the type of user making the comment, motorist, pedestrian, cyclist, bus user, etc and the council endeavours to consider all types of road users.

"Council schemes are subject to public consultation to better understand the public's views and the elected politician who leads our area of the council's work ultimately decides whether or not to proceed based on consultation feedback, transport policy and officer advice."