Work continues on new sustainable travel route in Hamworthy

Improvement works linking Poole town centre with Wareham Road are set to start in Hamworthy, continuing on from the recently completed new cycle and pedestrian route along Rigler Road through the Holes Bay development site.

The new route will follow the existing bridleway on the banks of Holes Bay, to the rear of the Cornerstone Academy, eventually linking into Hinchcliffe Road.

Upcoming work will include upgrading the existing bridleway with a bitmac surface, widening it in parts and improving drainage. Footway and safety improvements will also be made in Blandford Close.

Bridleway junction with new Hamworthy route. Picture: BCP Council

In order to undertake the work, the bridleway will need to be closed and a diversion put in place until early autumn.

BCP Council says plans for the improvements were informed by responses gathered during public engagement in late 2020 and formal consultation from February 24 to March 31 last year.

However, just under one third (29 per cent) of respondents strongly agreed with the proposals, whereas more than four in ten (46 per cent) strongly disagreed with them.

As expected, of the 349 respondents, those who travel by bicycle agreed with the changes more than those who said they travel by car.

Sustainable travel route plans for Rigler Road in Hamworthy. Picture: BCP Council

Responding to this, a council spokesperson said: “The consultation results reflect public feedback on a wide range of sustainable travel proposals from Rigler Road to Inglesham Way. Some of these, such as a proposed road closure, polarised local views.

In contrast, the upgrade of the existing bridleway behind Carter Community School has not been contentious and is now being taken forward to offer much needed improvements in the area, while we continue to review other elements of the proposals.”

Among the concerns raised by residents were the environmental impacts of the work, to which BCP Council says it has been working with Natural England to make sure the planned works have no adverse impact on the local wildlife and natural habitat.

Councillor Mike Greene, BCP’s portfolio holder for transport and sustainability, said: “This new sustainable travel route through Hamworthy has already made good progress with the opening of the first section of shared walking and cycling path from Rigler Road to Blandford Close, as well as improvements made to the cycle lane on Rigler Road from the Twin Sails Bridge.

“This second phase will add further, safe cycling and walking infrastructure, away from the busy main roads in Hamworthy. As well as providing a new green route into and out of Poole Town Centre, this will give greater choice for pupils at Cornerstone Academy to make an active, healthy journey to school.”