Improvements to Hurn Roundabout, near Bournemouth Airport, have been completed
The project is the third scheme delivered by Dorset County Council and strategic partner Hanson UK as part of Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership’s Bournemouth International Growth (BIG) Programme.
Hurn Roundabout was delayed due to getting sub-contractors on site but Dorset County Council and Dorset LEP have worked hard with the contractors to resolve these complex construction issues. This has brought the scheme back in time with the original timescales so it can complete on time and on budget.
£45.2 million was secured by Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership through the Local Growth Fund for the BIG Programme, to improve connectivity, ease congestion, protect existing jobs and create new ones in and around Bournemouth Airport and Wessex Fields.
The redesigned Hurn Roundabout will improve vehicle movements around the roundabout, especially HGVs, which will help keep traffic flowing through the junction. It has also improved walking and cycling links in the area, providing more sustainable travel options for local residents.
These roundabout improvements – along with planned BIG Programme schemes at Blackwater West Junction and Parley Cross – will help to relieve congestion on the B3073.
Minister for the Northern Powerhouse and Local Growth, Jake Berry, said: “Driving economic growth and building a Britain fit for the future is a key government priority.
“This £45.2m investment for the Bournemouth International Growth Programme, will not only ease congestion and provide more sustainable travel options for local residents, but will also protect and support new and existing jobs in and around Bournemouth Airport and Wessex Fields.”
Jim Stewart, Chair of Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership said, “We are really pleased to see the completion of another BIG Programme infrastructure investment on time and on budget. The improvements to Hurn roundabout are an important part of a series of economy-building upgrades along the busy B3073 corridor that will create better traffic flow, particularly for local businesses around Bournemouth Airport and Aviation Business Park.”
Councillor Andrew Parry, Dorset County Council Cabinet member for Economic Growth, Education, Learning and Skills, said: “Our work at Hurn Roundabout has been extremely complex due to the high number of utilities that have needed to be diverted away from the new alignment. It is to the credit of the team that this challenging project, through careful management has been completed within budget.
“Our work is continuing, with partners, to improve infrastructure on the busy B3073 corridor to reduce congestion and improve journey time reliability to aid Dorset’s economic growth.
“I appreciate there has been considerable pressure on the road network whilst this work has been carried out. I would like to thank drivers for their continued patience with ongoing construction in this area and keep in mind the anticipated longer-term benefits that these multiple projects will bring.”
The £900,000 project started on 29 May with work carried out off-peak between 9.30am and 3.30pm to minimise disruption and delays.
Original proposals for a new, bigger roundabout were changed due to land acquisition issues and a smaller revised scheme – within the existing road area – has been delivered.
ENDS
Notes to editors
Launched in January 2016, the BIG Programme is a major economic growth plan focused on employment and development around Bournemouth Airport and Wessex Fields. Over seven years a series of transport and infrastructure investments will:
- Transform accessibility to and around Bournemouth Airport and Wessex Fields through extensive transport improvements;
- Release up to 60 hectares of prime, flexible employment land for high-quality new business premises at Aviation Business Park and 6 hectares at Wessex Fields;
- Provide the single largest employment opportunity in the south east Dorset conurbation with the potential to create up to 10,000 new highly skilled jobs over the next decade;
- Generate up to £500 million of GVA into the area;
- Deliver around 350 new homes of which up to 50 per cent are affordable;
- Deliver increased broadband capacity to Bournemouth Airport and Aviation Business Park;
- Develop a new approach to improve skills and employee development, better tailoring it to the needs of key business sectors (aerospace, aviation, advanced manufacturing, digital media, marine, defence and financial services).
Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership is overseeing the BIG Programme in collaboration with Dorset County Council, Bournemouth Borough Council, Christchurch and East Dorset Councils as well as business representation from Rigby Group PLC, owners of Aviation Business Park.
* £45,200,000 has been allocated to fund the BIG Programme from the £98.5 million funding secured by Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership through the Government’s ‘Local Growth Fund’.
“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.
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