TRANSPORT bosses have pledged to drive down congestion after Bournemouth was named one of the worst places in the world for traffic jams.

And they say the solution isn't building new roads by "bulldozing thousands of homes" but getting more people walking or cycling.

With dozens of roadworks taking place across the conurbation in the past few weeks, the study from TomTom has now ranked Bournemouth as the 99th most congested place in the world.

And it's not come as a surprise to those in the know, with BCP Council's transport lead, Cllr Mike Greene, describing the ranking as "absolutely right".

Cllr Greene told the Daily Echo the report provided justification for the authority’s increasingly tougher stance on traffic reduction across the conurbation – exemplified by more cyclist and pedestrian provisions as well as public transport encouragement.

He said: “The report is absolutely right and, while we might quibble with the actual ranking, there’s no doubt that traffic congestion is an increasing problem.

 

“The town’s population has risen by 20 per cent in 20 years and during that time we estimate an extra eight per cent of vehicles have added to our roads.

"In terms of a solution, building roads could be one – but that’s just not practical. There isn’t the space for that and we’d end up having to bulldoze thousands of homes.

“Ultimately we have two choices. We can allow it to get worse or we can offer fast and safe alternatives. The second is exactly what we’ve started doing with our transforming travel programme.

“If we could take a relatively small proportion of cars off the road by offering safe and fast alternatives, journey times would come down exponentially. This is particularly the case for short journeys as 15 per cent of journeys in BCP are under 2km, something easily walkable or cycleable.

“We’re not asking everyone to walk or cycle, but those who can and are prepared should give it a go as it could make a massive difference.”

Cllr Greene also hailed the Beryl e-scooter scheme in Bournemouth and Poole as a “phenomenal success” in reducing congestion.

Bournemouth Echo: Roadworks and traffic delays at Alder Road in Poole.Roadworks and traffic delays at Alder Road in Poole.

Community group BH Active Travel said it was “hardly surprising” Bournemouth ranked so highly in the report and believe a “total overhaul” of the town’s transport network is necessary.

A group spokesperson told the Echo: “There have been many studies on reducing traffic congestion, and the answers are not rocket science. The problem has got worse due to transport policy over the past 40 years favouring the motor car. We are now at a point in BCP where this is no longer sustainable.

“As a business district and a major tourism hotspot, BCP Council needs a total overhaul to its transport network which we believe they are currently looking at as part of the Local Plan.”

The group also put forward suggestions for reducing congestion, such as charging for workplace parking and safer segregated cycle and walking infrastructure.

They added: “Not only does cycling and walking reduce congestion, it also improves health and the environment. Not all roads require segregated infrastructure. Costs can be cut by implementing ‘quiet ways’ – using modal filters and road design which slows traffic. Anything that makes cycling and walking more attractive and safer will encourage some people to change their habits.”

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Echo readers have also been having their say on ways to improve congestion in the area. One person commented: “BCP doesn't have traffic issues at all bar the summer and the bank holiday weekends. You want a world class holiday resort, you must have the motor infrastructure to deal with it.”

Others called for less traffic lights, more parking and better organisation of roadworks in the area - with many currently happening concurrently.