£1.3 million for key infrastructure works at Wallisdown West

Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership (Dorset LEP) is investing £1.3 million that it has secured from the Government’s Local Growth Fund towards an overall £3.3million programme of economy enhancing improvements in the western part of Wallisdown.

The scheme will be delivered by BCP Council and begin with a series of prioritised works on the A3049. Focussing on an important connecting route between Bournemouth and Poole, the scheme will deliver pedestrian and cycle improvements along the A3049, from Mountbatten Roundabout to the Bryant Road Junction.

The investment into the Wallisdown West area forms part of a series of local infrastructure projects. Future improvements will be delivered by BCP Council at the junction of the A348 (Ringwood Road) and B3061 (Sea View Road), as well as cycle and pedestrian improvements along the A348 Ringwood Road, between Mountbatten and Alderney roundabouts.

All schemes will be completed before the end of 2023. The £1.3m secured by Dorset LEP will be used exclusively to deliver the prioritised works on A3049 Wallisdown West and the other schemes will now utilise funding allocated from Local Transport Plan (LTP) and the Transforming Cities Fund (TCF) programme.

Together these schemes aim to reduce congestion and improve connectivity to Bournemouth Airport, the Port of Poole, Bournemouth University and Ferndown, Bournemouth and Poole town centres. They will link to, and complement wider works completed on Wallisdown Road in Spring 2020 and the ongoing improvements at Boundary Roundabout.

Dorset LEP Chair, Jim Stewart said: “Dorset LEP is committed to investing in infrastructure to support, grow and future-proof our local economy. This funding secured via the Local Growth Fund will directly benefit one of Dorset’s busiest transport corridors. By reducing congestion and improving connectivity these improvements will be an important, positive change for local businesses and the wider community.”

Councillor Andy Hadley, Cabinet Member for Transport and Infrastructure at BCP Council, said: “Encouraging more sustainable and active travel in the area, the funding will be used to improve walking, cycling and public transport facilities along a key local transport route. This will improve local air quality, deliver health benefits for the community, enhance connectivity and support more reliable journey times.’’

The FWP Corridor project forms part of the Bournemouth International Growth (BIG) Programme and brings the total growth dealing funding secured by Dorset LEP for its BIG Programme investment to £48.2m.

Notes to editors:              

Images:

1. Bournemouth International Growth (BIG) Programme Map

Dorset LEP

Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership is a business led private and public sector partnership, promoting local economic growth and prosperity. Dorset LEP delivers projects that support and develop infrastructure, housing, skills, enterprise and business growth to achieve long-term economic benefit for all in Dorset. For more information visit the Dorset LEP website http://www.dorsetlep.co.uk/

For more information visit the Dorset LEP http://www.dorsetlep.co.uk/

Local Growth Fund

Local Enterprise Partnerships are playing a vital role in driving forward economic growth across the country, helping to build a country that works for everyone.

That’s why by 2021 Government will have invested over £12bn through the Local Growth Fund, allowing LEPs to use their local knowledge to get all areas of the country firing on all cylinders.

Some additional key facts:

• There are 38 LEPs covering the whole of England.
• The government has awarded £9.1bn in three rounds of Growth Deals to local areas to drive economic growth.
• LEPs are investing in a wide range of projects including transport, skills, business support, broadband, innovation and flood defences.