Plans to build a new link road and junction directly from the A338 to connect with the Wessex Fields business park will unlock a major employment site, and provide a second access to Royal Bournemouth Hospital.
Delivered as part of Dorset LEP’s Bournemouth International Growth (BIG) Programme the proposed scheme will improve the transport infrastructure in this part of the town by creating a new access from the A338.
Specific benefits of the proposed new link road and junction include:
- the potential to create around 2,000 new jobs at Wessex Fields business park
- safeguarding the existing 10,000 jobs, including 4,000 at Royal Bournemouth Hospital
- a second access to the Royal Bournemouth Hospital site
- improved traffic flows at Cooper Dean Roundabout, the Chaseside Junction and parts of Castle Lane East, and
- enhanced facilities for pedestrians, cyclists and bus users leading to more sustainable journeys in the area.
Councillor Mike Greene, Bournemouth’s Cabinet Member responsible for Transport, said; “Wessex Fields is a major asset in Bournemouth already earmarked for employment. However, the existing road networks are congested, inadequate and are acting as a barrier to growth. Through additional government funding we have an opportunity to transform the transport infrastructure, by connecting the Wessex Fields business park and surrounding area to the A338.”
Councillor Philip Broadhead, Cabinet Member responsible for Economic Growth, said “There is strong demand for flexible business space in and around Bournemouth. Creating a modern business destination at Wessex Fields means we can make the most of the opportunities that this natural environment offers, and attract new businesses to Bournemouth which will lead to significant job opportunities for local people.”
Earlier this year residents and businesses attended a series of public roadshows where draft plans for the link road and junction were on display. The feedback received was generally positive with many businesses and the Royal Bournemouth Hospital showing support for the scheme.
Lorna Carver, director, Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership, said; “We are looking forward to the submission of plans for the development of Wessex Fields business park. This vital employment site will open up major economic opportunities for Dorset, boosting our economy and potentially creating over 2,000 jobs. In addition, the proposed development will safeguard existing jobs, improve connectivity, encourage sustainable travel and provide a second access route into the Royal Bournemouth Hospital.”
Funding has been secured via Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership for phase 1 of the proposed scheme which includes a new link directly to and from the southbound A338 Wessex Way linking to Wessex Fields business park, the Royal Bournemouth Hospital and existing businesses on Deansleigh Road and the surrounding area.
Edwin Davies, Associate Director of Estates, Royal Bournemouth and Christchurch Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said; “The Trust fully supports the creation of the new junction from the A338. It will significantly improve entrance and exit from the site, which will be increasingly important as the Trust develops its services in line with the recent Clinical Services Review. The sporadic delays for our patients, visitors and staff to entering and leaving our site, particularly at peak times in the afternoon, will be reduced. It is also essential that with new employment opportunities being developed on Wessex Fields that the highway network can cope and is resilient. The new junction will go a long to providing this resilience.”
A planning application for the new link road and junction is due to be submitted in December 2017. If approved construction of phase 1 is expected to start in Spring 2019, and be completed by Spring 2021.
> News A338 Reconstruction BIG Programme Wessex Fields
Share