Torment of roadworks to end early
AN EARLY end is in sight to long-running roadworks which have jammed traffic in Christchurch since the autumn.
Work which began in October on a long-awaited remodelling of the A35 Barrack Road-Stour Road junction was expected to continue until the middle of May.
But Dorset county highways chiefs masterminding the £1.25 million scheme are confident the job will be finished around April 21, three weeks ahead of schedule.
The news has been welcomed by local council and business leaders and will end five months of motoring misery for drivers snarled up by traffic jams and diversions around one of the busiest road junctions in Dorset.
Christchurch council leader Cllr Alan Griffiths said: "It is a great relief that this scheme, that has caused some disruption to traffic in Christchurch, is being completed three weeks early.
"This junction will now be much safer for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists."
Chamber of Trade president Nikki Sale said: "We have had a lot of traffic problems but from the feedback I have had I don't think it was as bad as we thought it would be.
"It has to be good for Christchurch that it will be up and running in time for the summer season."
The Barrack Road scheme was drawn up to tackle the accident record at the dual carriageway junction heavily used by schoolchildren, elderly pedestrians and cyclists.
Improvements including wider pavements, pedestrian crossings, new lights and hi-tech traffic detection equipment are designed to improve safety.
County council project manager Gordon Jenkins said: "I think it has gone very well indeed, although there have been one or two comments from the public that would say otherwise," he said.
7:00pm Wednesday 26th March 2008
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CommentPosted by: bobble212, Christchurch on 8:14pm Wed 26 Mar 08
Great news !! Does that mean the buses will be back along Stour Road...lets hope so !!
Great news !! Does that mean the buses will be back along Stour Road...lets hope so !!
Posted by: observer, bmth on 9:51pm Wed 26 Mar 08
[bold]These works would have been finished weeks ago if only one site was worked on at a time instead of loads of sites started and then left with just cones to cause chaos![/bold]
These works would have been finished weeks ago if only one site was worked on at a time instead of loads of sites started and then left with just cones to cause chaos! Posted by: fedupwithjobsworths, Moordown on 8:03am Thu 27 Mar 08
This road has been a nightmare for decades - lets hope the new layout works, otherwise heads should roll at the Council for wasting our money.
This road has been a nightmare for decades - lets hope the new layout works, otherwise heads should roll at the Council for wasting our money.
Posted by: thebabyjesus, Poole on 8:59am Thu 27 Mar 08
What? 'Work which began in October' ????
They started digging up the road last March/April '07!
They're havin' a laugh!
What? 'Work which began in October' ????
They started digging up the road last March/April '07!
They're havin' a laugh!
Posted by: Luce, Christchurch on 1:17pm Thu 27 Mar 08
thebabyjesus - it was October the works started, not April.
bobble212 - Being a resident of Stour Rd I'd rather the buses didn't start running again thanks all the same.
thebabyjesus - it was October the works started, not April.
bobble212 - Being a resident of Stour Rd I'd rather the buses didn't start running again thanks all the same.
Posted by: rfraser3, Bournemouth on 1:18pm Thu 27 Mar 08
Oh darn - the traffic flow has been far better for the last few months. Knocked at least 5 mins off my journey to/from work.
Oh darn - the traffic flow has been far better for the last few months. Knocked at least 5 mins off my journey to/from work.
Posted by: Luce, Christchurch on 1:26pm Thu 27 Mar 08
I agree rfraser3, the roadworks really haven't caused me much of a problem and I live on Stour Rd. It has been a little awkward getting on to Barrack Rd but that is mostly due to selfish drivers who won't let you out of the side road.
All in all the traffic flow has been much better than before and pedestrians have been safer as a temporary crossing was installed whereas there was nothing before.
To be honest most drivers have avoided Barrack Road and clogged up Bargates and Fairmile instead, leaving Barrack Road empty for the few that choose to use it.
I agree rfraser3, the roadworks really haven't caused me much of a problem and I live on Stour Rd. It has been a little awkward getting on to Barrack Rd but that is mostly due to selfish drivers who won't let you out of the side road.
All in all the traffic flow has been much better than before and pedestrians have been safer as a temporary crossing was installed whereas there was nothing before.
To be honest most drivers have avoided Barrack Road and clogged up Bargates and Fairmile instead, leaving Barrack Road empty for the few that choose to use it.
Posted by: muffin the mule, wallisdown on 4:22pm Thu 27 Mar 08
the time it has taken to do this work is unbelievable - why ? ,you couldnt make it up.please someone explain ???
the time it has taken to do this work is unbelievable - why ? ,you couldnt make it up.please someone explain ???
Posted by: muffin the mule, wallisdown on 4:23pm Thu 27 Mar 08
the time it has taken to do this work is unbelievable - why ? ,you couldnt make it up.please someone explain ???
the time it has taken to do this work is unbelievable - why ? ,you couldnt make it up.please someone explain ???
Posted by: bobble212, Christchurch on 8:47pm Thu 27 Mar 08
[quote]bobble212 - Being a resident of Stour Rd I'd rather the buses didn't start running again thanks all the same.[/quote] Can you give me a lift in YOUR car then ?!
bobble212 - Being a resident of Stour Rd I'd rather the buses didn't start running again thanks all the same.
Can you give me a lift in YOUR car then ?!
Posted by: dancingdog777, Christchurch on 11:21pm Thu 27 Mar 08
[quote][bold]Luce[/bold] wrote:
thebabyjesus - it was October the works started, not April.
bobble212 - Being a resident of Stour Rd I'd rather the buses didn't start running again thanks all the same.[/quote] No, the work WAS started a year ago, then they stopped and started again in October. Don't you remember that large builder's container that was parked in Manor Road, near the junction with Barrack Road all last summer?
Also the signage originally promised a finish in late February 2008, so in fact that have over-run by at least 4 weeks already.
Funny how local politicians have such short memories! Perhaps it's an old age 'moment' the good coucillor is having?
Luce wrote:
thebabyjesus - it was October the works started, not April.
bobble212 - Being a resident of Stour Rd I'd rather the buses didn't start running again thanks all the same.
No, the work WAS started a year ago, then they stopped and started again in October. Don't you remember that large builder's container that was parked in Manor Road, near the junction with Barrack Road all last summer?
Also the signage originally promised a finish in late February 2008, so in fact that have over-run by at least 4 weeks already.
Funny how local politicians have such short memories! Perhaps it's an old age 'moment' the good coucillor is having?
Posted by: thebabyjesus, Poole on 6:53am Sat 29 Mar 08
Thank you dancingdog777.
I'm sure the road works have been going on longer than stated.
Clever ploy, start them, stop them for a bit and then start again!
Thank you dancingdog777.
I'm sure the road works have been going on longer than stated.
Clever ploy, start them, stop them for a bit and then start again!
Posted by: lamarinacf, Alicante/Bournemouth on 10:42pm Sun 30 Mar 08
[quote][bold]fedupwithjobsworths[/bold] wrote:
This road has been a nightmare for decades - lets hope the new layout works, otherwise heads should roll at the Council for wasting our money.[/quote] Yeh just like the Stony lane round about and Bridge street? everything they mess with they make it worse and we pay for that mess.
fedupwithjobsworths wrote:
This road has been a nightmare for decades - lets hope the new layout works, otherwise heads should roll at the Council for wasting our money.
Yeh just like the Stony lane round about and Bridge street? everything they mess with they make it worse and we pay for that mess.
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