AGENDA ITEM 9
BOROUGH OF POOLE
TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY GROUP
– THURSDAY 25 OCTOBER 2012
REPORT OF HEAD OF TRANSPORTATION SERVICES
CAPITAL PROGRAMME
– HOLES BAY ROAD /STERTE
PEDESTRIAN / CYCLE LINK
PART OF THE PUBLISHED FORWARD PLAN:
STATUS:
PURPOSE AND POLICY CONTEXT 1.
1.1 To consider a scheme creating a pedestrian / cycle scheme linking the existing cycle path adjacent to Harbour with Sterte Avenue West, via the underpass adjacent to the railway line beneath Holes Bay Road.
1.2 The Local Transport Plan provides for investment in infrastructure to further promote cycling and walking as a sustainable mode of travel. The aim is to create continuous, convenient and safer routes.
2. DECISION REQUIRED
3.
It is recommended that the Portfolio Holder approve:
2.1 The scheme for providing a pedestrian / cycle scheme at Holes Bay Road, as shown on drg JC 0916 / 11 as Appendix A.
BACKGROUND
3.1 The existing cycleway running along the edge of the Harbour next to Holes
Bay Road is one of the best used routes within the Borough. This provides a safe and convenient mainly off-road route for both leisure and commuter use, linking the Town Centre to Upton Country Park and beyond to the West.
3.2 There is also a link to the cycle network to the North via Broadstone Way, albeit this is via a road level crossing of Holes Bay Road just South of the
Broadstone Way roundabout. While frequently used this can be considered as daunting to less confident users.
3.3 This roundabout does have an accident record and consequently a package of measures were approved within the road safety category of the Capital
Programme on 16 February 2012. This included a Vehicle Activated Sign
(VAS) on the southbound approach of Holes Bay Road, activated by vehicles exceeding the speed limit, together with refreshing of the existing road markings.
1

3.4 In consideration of the above safety scheme Members identified particular concern over the level road crossing point to the south of the roundabout here, and even though this was not a predominant factor in the injury accidents occurring they requested that officers examine the possibility of an alternative crossing provision.
In addition both the local representative of the Bournemouth and Poole Open
Space Society and cyclists have requested a footpath / cycle link in this area.
The proposed scheme is designed to address these issues in a phased way within existing budget limitations.
3.4 The layout of this area is shown on drg JC0916/11 as Appendix A. Currently on the harbour side the tarmac cycle path extends to the edge of railway line, via a concrete path under Holes Bay Road, and then ends at waste land adjacent to Kerry Foods .
3.5 The proposed scheme is to provide a 3m wide gravel footway / cycleway on the eastern side of Holes Bay Road, linking the under road section back down to Sterte Avenue West. The cycleway would then be extended via a short length of on-road cycleway to the existing cycleway network on the side of Holes Bay Road adjacent to The Premier Inn hotel.
3.6 The main benefits of this phased scheme would be that it provides :

A n important ‘missing link’ in the network of cycleways in the vicinity, enhancing the opportunity for cyclists to leave or join the network whether for leisure or commuter use.

An off-road alternative crossing of Holes Bay Road, which in its proposed form although slightly more tortuous than the on road crossing to the south of Broadstone Way roundabout, does nevertheless provide the opportunity of a safe route for the less confident cyclist or pedestrian.

The opportunity for a subsequent phase, subject to future funding, for a set of steps for pedestrians / ramp for cyclists up the embankment to the overbridge level, as indicated on the drawing. In this form it would provide for a very convenient direct alternative to the current on road crossing. The cost of this construction would be approximately
£100,000, as the embankment is some 6m high and would require a considerable structure.
3.7 Local ground conditions are far from ideal for the proposed path but the scheme provides a cost effective solution of bound gravel which should remain usable in most weather conditions. Again there is an opportunity for enhancement with tarmac surfacing if additional funding is available in the
2

future. Timber fencing would be provided along the boundary to the adjacent land.
3.8 The proposals also include improved direction signing for cyclists as the existing arrangement can be somewhat confusing for those not familiar with the local area. This would include clear direction signing back as far as
Poole Railway Station, as it is not immediately clear that the existing cycle path on the eastern side of Holes Bay Road can be used en route to
Broadstone Way and so avoiding the need to physically cross the road.
Updated cycle maps, both for Commuter and Leisure use, linked to clear signage on the ground, would also promote this use.
4. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
4.1 The estimated cost of the scheme is £80,000 . It is proposed that this be funded from the following categories within the 2012/13 Transportation
Capital Programme:

Town Centre Improvements for Pedestrians and Cyclists £50,000

Road Safety £20,000

Virements from elsewhere in the capital programme £10,000
5. LEGAL IMPLICATIONS
5.1 None.
6. RISK MANAGEMENT IMPLICATIONS
6.1 While there is not a significant accident record to justify a scheme for the level road crossing of Holes Bay Road to the South of the Broadstone Way roundabout, the fact that many users find this difficult means that there is a chance that accidents will occur in the future. Any scheme which reduces the need to cross here will inevitably contribute towards road safety.
7. EQUALITIES IMPLICATIONS
7.1 None.
8. CONCLUSIONS
8.1 There have been a number of requests for improved pedestrian and cycle facilities at this location. This scheme provides an affordable solution which can be extended and enhanced in the future as further funding becomes available. Furthermore there are road safety benefits of providing alternative routes for the crossing routes of Holes Bay Road
3

Julian McLaughlin
Head of Transportation Services
Name and Telephone Number of Officer Contact: Steve Tite (01202) 262020
Appendix A -
Appendix B -
TAG251012T3F
Layout Plan JC 0916 / 11
Local Cycleway Map
4