Town Centre Vision
Connecting Bournemouth Town Centre
How well is Bournemouth Town Centre connected for pedestrians, road, rail and bus users? What, if any changes would make access easier?
These questions are being put residents as the Council considers how the Town Centre Vision should tackle transport, parking and pedestrian links.
Deputy Leader of Bournemouth Borough Council, Cllr John Beesley, said: “We realise that people’s priorities for transport will vary massively depending on their individual circumstances. What we’d like to come up with is an infrastructure that works well for everyone.
“Transport links are key to our vision – the big debate will help us to decide whether certain areas of the town should be pedestrianised, if the road network should be changed and if the town is adequately linked to rail and bus terminals.
“It should give consideration to parking provision and locations in the town and whether there’s a need for additional forms of transport or better signposting and information points. This vision must balance economic and environmental issues. We should also consider whether the town could improve access for those with mobility problems.”
The Town Centre Vision will be formulated early next year and will have an impact on the major development decisions over the months and years ahead. Other topics under consideration are the quality of shopping, leisure attractions and the mix of homes and hotels.
It will focus on a circuit taking in the Pier Approach, Exeter Road, Gervis Place, Hinton Road and Bath Road. It will also include Old Christchurch Road and the wider Town Centre area up to the railway station.
Nigel Hedges, vice president of Bournemouth Chamber of Trade, predicts the town centre of the future will be free from cars, with parking on the outskirts and an increasing number of shoppers and workers relying on park and ride.
He added: “Bournemouth is a Victorian town, its road layout is still Victorian and it is struggling to cope with modern traffic volumes.
“We could be encouraging more trade in the town with cheaper parking on the outskirts and better incentives for people to cycle or catch the bus.”
Angela Pooley, coordinator of East Dorset Friends of the Earth and chairman of the Sustaining the Environment Forum for Bournemouth 2026, said: “To meet its targets for addressing climate change the Council has to look at viable alternatives – we need a robust public transport system but we have to make it attractive and innovative – possibly a tram system along the seafront. Business should also be establishing travel to work plans to encourage cycling, car sharing or use of public transport.”
The Council is urging pedestrians, cyclists, drivers and public transport users to comment on the current flow of traffic and ease of navigation around the town centre and Pier Approach and connections with the Wessex Way, highlighting problem areas and areas that work well.
Email towncentrevision@bournemouth.gov.uk for your opportunity to comment.
Release date: Wednesday December 12
