Works on the £11.7 million scheme of major road improvements to the Townside area in Poole are continuing to progress well.
Following the ‘switchover’ to the new road layout at Hunger Hill junction at the beginning of the year, contractors Mildren Construction are now focusing their efforts on the Asda junction. This key aspect of work will provide better and more direct pedestrian crossings to and from the railway station as well as upgraded traffic signals.
Last week temporary traffic lights were installed at the Asda junction and the engineers are continuing to monitor and adjust the lights to accommodate traffic flow. These lights are not linked to the traffic lights at the Hunger Hill junction so some delays to journeys may occur. When the main works finish approximately May 2019, all the lights around the Hunger Hill and Asda junctions will be fully synchronised enabling traffic to flow more efficiently.
In the meantime work is still taking place around the Hunger Hill junction with drainage works being carried out in front of the Animal building and on the Towngate Bridge central reserve and work on the Holes Bay central reserve being completed.
Work has also started on the improved pedestrian and cycle paths on West Street, which will take around three months to complete. Initially work will take place within the existing lane closure (old northbound lane) so there should be minimal impact on traffic. As the work area moves towards Hunger Hill there will be some impact on traffic and further updates will be available as the work progresses.
The closure of the entrance to Dear Hay Lane from Hunger Hill will be extended by a further three weeks to enable surfacing and finishing works to be brought forward and completed within the current closure. During this time access to Chapel Lane car park and all other access continues to be from the southern end of Dear Hay Lane, via New Orchard.
Julian McLaughlin, Head of Growth and Infrastructure, Borough of Poole, said: “The works continue to be well designed helping to minimise disruption to those travelling through the area and every effort is being made to continue this throughout the remainder of the works.
“We are still on target to complete the main works at Hunger Hill around May 2019. The wider improvements for pedestrians and cyclists as well as improved public spaces, including commissioned art works, making the area a more pleasant environment for residents and visitors will continue until 2020.”
Cllr Ian Potter, Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Transportation, Borough of Poole, said: “These improvements support the Council’s ambitious plans to revitalise the centre of Poole, the future expansion of the Port of Poole as well as redevelopment sites in the area creating new homes, leisure opportunities and a vibrant economy for local people.”