Poole Park Access

This consultation has now closed.


During the consultation period we have had a much bigger response than expected.

We are now looking at analysing all these responses and understanding every piece of feedback and insight on either side of the debate that park users took the time to share with us.

It's clear that with such a high response rate, the decision-making process will take longer than we originally planned, and it now seems more appropriate for this decision to be debated and considered in an open public meeting. That is why the item is on the forward plan to be discussed at the Cabinet meeting in May, but we are looking at how we can shorten the timeline and discuss it earlier than that.

Whilst we are reviewing the timeline, the entrance and exit to the park will remain closed as originally advised.


Proposed closure of entrance by Whitecliff Road / Twemlow Avenue

From 17 January 2024, BCP Council will be trialling a daily 24-hour gate closure at Poole Park. This will only be at the entrance and exit point on Whitecliff Road, adjacent to Twemlow Avenue. This is an extension to the current daily closure in place from 7.30-10am at all entrances, which prevents vehicles entering or exiting the park during the morning rush hour.

The reason for this closure is to promote environmental improvements in and around Poole Park. This is in line with BCP Council’s Corporate Strategy for health and well-being and active, sustainable communities.

A consultation will open in conjunction with a trial closure on Wednesday 17 January 2024 and will run for 4 weeks, closing at 23:59 on Tuesday 13 February 2024. We will consider the feedback and then make a decision about whether to retain the closure of this park entrance to motor vehicles or revert to the previous opening / closure times.

Background information

Poole Park is a heritage listed park in a Conservation area, which is managed and maintained by BCP Council. Opened in 1890, the road was originally designed for horse and carriages to access the park. BCP Council now allows controlled motor vehicle access to the park. The park road is not an adopted highway though some drivers use it as a through route, avoiding busy junctions nearby.

The park is closed to vehicles 7.30 am – 10am Mon-Sat, to reduce the impact of rush hour traffic, creating a car-free environment. This closure to vehicles has been in place since at least the 1980’s.

Previous road-closure consultations (2017) have shown an equal split in opinion for closing or maintaining a through road. However, more recent ‘Future of Parks’ surveys and engagement related to temporary closures nearby show an increased preference for vehicle restrictions.

Proposal

We propose to permanently close the entrance to the park adjacent to Twemlow Avenue to motor vehicles, effectively preventing the use of the park as a through route between Poole Town Centre and Sandbanks Road / Whitecliff area.

Impact

We believe that this proposal would create an enhanced park environment. Reducing vehicle movements, noise and air pollution and creating a safer park environment will benefit park users.

The Park forms part of several routes identified in the Local Cycling Walking Improvement Plan (LCWIP) as being important for walking and cycling. Reducing traffic movements through the park and beyond would create safer routes for people walking, wheeling and cycling.

There would likely be a minor impact on the surrounding highway network as it absorbs traffic previously diverting through the park. Since the park is already closed to motor traffic during the busy morning peak time, there is no reason why the local highway network would not accommodate the closure throughout the day.

Café concessions could be concerned about loss of trade from reduced through traffic, albeit any persons travelling to visit the park by car would still be able to access all areas.

Closing one of the three vehicle entrances would not prevent any vehicle from still being able to access all areas of the park, but it would significantly reduce the number of vehicles using it as a cut through between Sandbanks Road and Poole Town Centre and the reverse.

The car parks and parking areas would be unaffected, all car parks and concessions will still be accessible by vehicles.

How to have your say

Let us know what you have to say about this proposal by completing our online survey. Alternatively paper copies of the questionnaire will be available on request in any BCP Library.

This consultation will commence at 09:00 on 17 January 2024 and will close at 23:59 on 13 February 2024

Next steps

We will consider the consultation findings before making a final decision on a closure. This will be communicated to the public as soon as possible and the the change will either be made permanent or the temporary signage will be removed and the original opening / closure regime reinstated.


This consultation has now closed.


During the consultation period we have had a much bigger response than expected.

We are now looking at analysing all these responses and understanding every piece of feedback and insight on either side of the debate that park users took the time to share with us.

It's clear that with such a high response rate, the decision-making process will take longer than we originally planned, and it now seems more appropriate for this decision to be debated and considered in an open public meeting. That is why the item is on the forward plan to be discussed at the Cabinet meeting in May, but we are looking at how we can shorten the timeline and discuss it earlier than that.

Whilst we are reviewing the timeline, the entrance and exit to the park will remain closed as originally advised.


Proposed closure of entrance by Whitecliff Road / Twemlow Avenue

From 17 January 2024, BCP Council will be trialling a daily 24-hour gate closure at Poole Park. This will only be at the entrance and exit point on Whitecliff Road, adjacent to Twemlow Avenue. This is an extension to the current daily closure in place from 7.30-10am at all entrances, which prevents vehicles entering or exiting the park during the morning rush hour.

The reason for this closure is to promote environmental improvements in and around Poole Park. This is in line with BCP Council’s Corporate Strategy for health and well-being and active, sustainable communities.

A consultation will open in conjunction with a trial closure on Wednesday 17 January 2024 and will run for 4 weeks, closing at 23:59 on Tuesday 13 February 2024. We will consider the feedback and then make a decision about whether to retain the closure of this park entrance to motor vehicles or revert to the previous opening / closure times.

Background information

Poole Park is a heritage listed park in a Conservation area, which is managed and maintained by BCP Council. Opened in 1890, the road was originally designed for horse and carriages to access the park. BCP Council now allows controlled motor vehicle access to the park. The park road is not an adopted highway though some drivers use it as a through route, avoiding busy junctions nearby.

The park is closed to vehicles 7.30 am – 10am Mon-Sat, to reduce the impact of rush hour traffic, creating a car-free environment. This closure to vehicles has been in place since at least the 1980’s.

Previous road-closure consultations (2017) have shown an equal split in opinion for closing or maintaining a through road. However, more recent ‘Future of Parks’ surveys and engagement related to temporary closures nearby show an increased preference for vehicle restrictions.

Proposal

We propose to permanently close the entrance to the park adjacent to Twemlow Avenue to motor vehicles, effectively preventing the use of the park as a through route between Poole Town Centre and Sandbanks Road / Whitecliff area.

Impact

We believe that this proposal would create an enhanced park environment. Reducing vehicle movements, noise and air pollution and creating a safer park environment will benefit park users.

The Park forms part of several routes identified in the Local Cycling Walking Improvement Plan (LCWIP) as being important for walking and cycling. Reducing traffic movements through the park and beyond would create safer routes for people walking, wheeling and cycling.

There would likely be a minor impact on the surrounding highway network as it absorbs traffic previously diverting through the park. Since the park is already closed to motor traffic during the busy morning peak time, there is no reason why the local highway network would not accommodate the closure throughout the day.

Café concessions could be concerned about loss of trade from reduced through traffic, albeit any persons travelling to visit the park by car would still be able to access all areas.

Closing one of the three vehicle entrances would not prevent any vehicle from still being able to access all areas of the park, but it would significantly reduce the number of vehicles using it as a cut through between Sandbanks Road and Poole Town Centre and the reverse.

The car parks and parking areas would be unaffected, all car parks and concessions will still be accessible by vehicles.

How to have your say

Let us know what you have to say about this proposal by completing our online survey. Alternatively paper copies of the questionnaire will be available on request in any BCP Library.

This consultation will commence at 09:00 on 17 January 2024 and will close at 23:59 on 13 February 2024

Next steps

We will consider the consultation findings before making a final decision on a closure. This will be communicated to the public as soon as possible and the the change will either be made permanent or the temporary signage will be removed and the original opening / closure regime reinstated.


Page last updated: 14 Feb 2024, 09:22 AM