BCP Council announced on February 17, 2026, a £7.7 million investment plan to fix roads and reduce traffic jams across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole for the coming year. The funding is intended to pay for resurfacing and safety measures to help make everyday journeys easier for local residents and commuters.
A major part of the plan includes upgrading the junction at Castle Lane East and Deansleigh Road to help traffic flow better near the Royal Bournemouth Hospital. This area is a well-known bottleneck, and the changes aim to make it easier for emergency services and visitors to get around one of the busiest spots in the community.
To further stop delays, BCP Council wants to start charging utility companies that do roadworks during the busiest times of the day. This new system, known as a Lane Rental Scheme, could reduce travel disruptions on main routes by up to one-third by encouraging companies to carry out their work when there is less traffic.
Government funding for walking and cycling projects from Active Travel England has also doubled because the local area’s existing improvements were recognised as national best practice. The council reported that it repaired more than 2,500 potholes last year, with road conditions across the area now ranked in the top 20 per cent of the country.
Local leaders in the Transport Advisory Group will discuss these plans at a meeting on February 25, 2026, before a final decision is made by the cabinet on March 4, 2026. If approved, the money will be used for several road repair and safety projects throughout the 2026-27 financial year.
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