New crossing at Springbourne Roundabout after years of “near misses”
Families will no longer have to ‘dice with death’ after a toucan crossing was finally installed at a busy junction on Richmond Park Road
A new toucan crossing has been installed at a busy junction following long-standing concerns over pedestrian safety.
The crossing, now operational on Richmond Park Road in Bournemouth at the junction with Springbourne Roundabout, aims to improve pedestrian and cyclist safety.
The installation follows long-standing calls from the community to provide a safer crossing.
Ward councillor for Queen’s Park and Charminster, Alasdair Keddie, said: “After weeks of work and years of campaigning, the signalled crossing at the Springbourne Roundabout went live this afternoon.
“I’d like to thank residents for their patience while the works have been ongoing.
“Local families will be able to access schools, the BH Live Active gym and the Queen’s Park greenspace safely, at long last.
“I take this route to school with my children every day, and it has often felt like we were dicing with death at this crossing point – and today I felt a lot safer walking with them.”
The crossing will provide safer access to the Queen’s Park greenspace, as well as supporting anyone walking or cycling to school, gyms and the football ground.
Fellow ward councillor, Sharon Carr-Brown, welcomed the completion of the project and said the crossing was urgently needed.
Cllr Carr-Brown said: “I’m really pleased to see the crossing in place.
“It’s so needed and will finally end the lottery of crossing this very busy road, especially for school children.
“I’ve seen so many near misses here and people having to run and dodge cars.
“It was one of the first things I campaigned on when I was elected and commissioned a report into the need for it three years ago that fed into making this a reality.
“It will take a little time for drivers to get used to it being there but that will come and I hope more people will feel confident to walk because they know they can cross here safely now.”
A formal consultation on the plans was held from May 1st to May 22nd, during which residents were invited to share their views.