Residents criticise road work plans in Ringwood Road, Poole

BCP Council have proposed sections of Ringwood Road (B3068) in Oakdale be transformed with the introduction of protected cycle lanes, narrower traffic lanes, wider pavements and safer pedestrian road crossings.

The plans would see the removal of at least 18 parking spaces used by homes and businesses between Parkstone Heights and Hilton Close.

However numerous people living and working in the area have criticised the consultation process – held from May to June last year – and say they were unaware of the plans until being informed by ward councillors.

Redevelopment plans for Ringwood Road in Poole

Hairdresser Amanda Carey has run Quick Snip Barbers for eight years and is worried the road works, if fully approved, would “kill off” her business.

She told the Echo: “We weren’t told, that’s what really has got my back up. People use the parking outside my shop to use the convenience store next-door, but they’re going to get rid of parking, so it’s not going to be very convenient anymore.

“If they sent a letter through the letterbox, I would be less angry. It’s more the fact it’s a shock and now there’s nothing we can do. As if we hadn’t been hit hard enough after Covid, we’ve not even picked ourselves up from that. As a business owner, I feel like I’m being kicked while I’m down, they’re not giving us the chance to rebuild.

“I think this is going to kill us off. If people don’t have a place to park, they just won’t stop.”

CGI of Ringwood Road looking north towards Casterbridge Road. Picture: BCP Council

Residents say they were only made aware of the plans after Oakdale councillors Pete Miles and Felicity Rice informed them after learning they had not been told.

Cllr Miles said: “A lot of residents in and around Dorchester Road are up in arms because of lack of consultation. There had been a consultation period but this clearly wasn’t well known. We repeatedly asked for information to be sent direct to residents, but this didn’t happen. I have no idea why, but it needs looking at.”

Despite this, a BCP Council Transforming Cities Fund spokesperson insisted that “extensive” awareness was raised during the consultation period.

They said: “Although public consultation events were prohibited due to the pandemic, the process was promoted via an extensive multi-channel marketing campaign across south east Dorset to raise awareness and encourage as much participation as possible. This included advertisements in local newspapers, magazines and newsletters, social media and street furniture signage.

Redevelopment plans for Ringwood Road in Poole

“Responses received during this consultation were analysed and are being used to help shape the design plans. The proposals between Fernside Road and Sea View Road are subject to final agreement.

“Once the design plans are complete, we will be contacting residents and presenting the proposals later this year at a public information event.

“Following this, any proposed changes to parking will be subject to a separate statutory process via a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) advert. The TRO advertising the changes will be published in local media and affected residents will receive a letter from BCP Council. Residents will be able to consider and comment on the proposed TRO; these will be reviewed to inform the final decision on the proposals.”

One resident, however, said: “There were no notices, no letter to our homes, none of us knew about it. I walk up and down Ringwood Road every day, several times maybe, and I pass quite a few lampposts on both sides of the road and there was not one notice.

She added: “How can we as residents make any protest when we don’t even know there’s a consultation open?”