BIG Programme’s latest transport scheme announced

Dorset LEP has announced that Chapel Gate roundabout on the B3073 will be the next place to benefit from transport improvements as part of the Bournemouth International Growth (BIG) Programme.

Significant improvements to the existing roundabout will be made at Chapel Gate on the B3073 this summer to help relieve congestion to and from Hurn and Parley.  Work, which will be delivered by Dorset County Council, includes:

• a new dedicated left turn for west bound traffic from Hurn
• an extra lane for east bound traffic providing better access to Aviation Business Park
• new cycleway and footway links to and from Aviation Business Park

The £1.5 million work is expected to start on 3 July 2017 and take four to five months to complete.  It is anticipated that most of the work affecting traffic will be carried out during off peak hours to minimise impact on road users.  There will be a limited requirement for road traffic signals; some night work for road surfacing is planned.  Go to www.dorsetforyou.com/chapel-gate for more information.

This scheme forms part of the £45.2 million secured by Dorset LEP through the Government’s Growth Deal* for the BIG Programme, an ambitious major economic growth plan focused on boosting employment and development around Bournemouth Airport and Wessex Fields. 

Gordon Page, chairman of Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership said:

“The BIG Programme is making great progress with major improvement works taking place at both Chapel Gate and Blackwater this summer - all aimed at relieving congestion and creating better journeys for local businesses and people.

“We are working closely with Dorset County Council and Bournemouth Borough Council to ensure we keep driver disruption and impact on businesses to a minimum while these much needed, economy-building transport improvements take place.  Collectively they will alleviate traffic congestion, transform accessibility, create and protect jobs and drive economic growth around Bournemouth airport and Wessex Fields.”

Mike Harries, Dorset County Council Director for Environment and Economy, said:

“The B3073 is an important corridor which keeps our residents and businesses connected and supports the economic vibrancy of south east Dorset.

“We are committed to making Dorset an attractive place to do business and for that we need to invest in our road network to keep Dorset moving. Our work at Chapel Gate is the latest step in our plans for easing congestion and making journey times more reliable. As part of the BIG Programme, working with Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership, the county council has further improvements proposed for Hurn Roundabout, Parley Cross and Longham mini-roundabouts.”

Timeframes for the BIG Programme’s planned schemes:

Pipeline schemes:

B3073 Parley eastern link road:

• It is anticipated that a new link road will be built from the B347 at Parley Cross running east onto the B3073.  More information on the detail of this scheme is likely to be available in Autumn 2017.

B3073 Parley western link road:

• Discussions are taking place regarding a potential new link road from the B347 at Parley Cross running west onto the B3073.

B3073 Hurn roundabout (east of Bournemouth airport on the B3073)

• Options to reconfigure this junction to improve traffic flows and allow for future growth are currently under discussion. 

B3073 Longham mini-roundabouts

• Options are currently under consideration to improve traffic flows.

A338 Wessex Fields link – phase two

• Phase two works, included in the planning application, are dependent upon further funding.  It is intended the proposed works would provide slip roads on and off the northbound carriageway, linking with the phase one works via a new overbridge to provide a full grade-separated junction.

Bournemouth Borough Council is leading on the delivery of the A338 schemes working jointly with Dorset County Council on the infrastructure improvements at Blackwater Junction and Wessex Fields.

Dorset County Council will deliver the improvements at Chapel Gate, Hurn roundabout and Parley.