River Stour
The River Stour crossing linking Redhill roundabout (Bournemouth) to the airport (and on to Ferndown) has been developed to final design stage. The planning permission application for the work has been deferred until funding to progress the scheme has been secured.
Rising construction, labour and fuel costs, growing inflation and changes to national design standards for cycling infrastructure mean south east Dorset’s original TCF budget, awarded pre-pandemic in March 2020, is no longer sufficient to build the entire network of cycle, walking and bus improvements planned across the region.
Priority has been given to TCF schemes that link into existing sustainable travel infrastructure, providing an immediate interim level of connectivity and more continuous travel routes.
Click here to read the full announcement
The proposals
This off-road section was originally consulted on in spring 2021. At that stage, route options were still being assessed. Following further design work, a route was shared in early 2023, which included:
- Improvements to the existing path on the north side of Christchurch Road to provide a shared path near Portfield School
- A new toucan crossing on Christchurch Road, with an adjacent section of existing cycleway on the south of the road being widened to improve access for pedestrians and cyclists
- A new shared path for pedestrians and cyclists south from Christchurch Road, running parallel to Parley Green Lane at the top end, carrying on down to cross the existing Stour Valley Way path near Parley Manor and continuing south to the River Stour
- An accessible bridge over the River Stour that would link the new route to the existing shared path near Redhill roundabout
We worked with environmental groups to create a design that considers the specific ecological challenges in the area. A number of new trees, additional hedging and wet grassland meadow would be planted along parts of the route and reflective materials would be used instead of lighting to aid visibility without negatively impacting local wildlife and their habitats.
As well as improving links between key locations to the north of the River Stour (including the Aviation Business Park, the airport and university sports ground) and towards Bournemouth town centre, this work would improve facilities for recreational users.
View the proposed design plan here.
Public consultation
A report summarising the results of the spring 2021 public consultation is available here and responses to issues are available here.
