Project Status - Completed
- Start Date: September 2015
- End Date: May 2016
- Local Growth Fund allocation: £18,424,130
- Awarded to: Dorset County Council (now Dorset Council)
- Part of the BIG Programme
Outputs:
- Full depth reconstruction of 9km dual carriageway ensuring reduced long term maintenance costs
- Bringing the carriageway widths up to current standards. It varied between 7.1 metres and 7.4 metres but is now a consistent 9.3 metres including adding a one metre hard strip to give extra space for cars to move over for emergency vehicles or in case of breakdowns
- Replacing and upgrading the central safety barrier to concrete, making the road safer and reducing the risk of vehicles involved in accidents crossing into the opposing carriageway
- Improving drainage to solve flooding and ‘ponding’ problems
- Addressing ecological issues, including protected species translocation and migration
- Bridge maintenance
- Renewing road signs, cats eyes and markings
Outcomes:
The stretch of the A338 Spur Road was rebuilt, work completed on time in May 2016, the road now boasts:
- A new lower noise surface layer
- 1 metre hard strip for emergency use
- Improved drainage to reduce flooding and ponding
- New concrete central reserve safety barrier to reduce maintenance and likelihood of crossover accidents
- New road signs, cats’ eyes and road markings
BIG Programme outcomes:
- Transform accessibility to and around Bournemouth Airport and Wessex Fields through extensive transport improvements.
- Release up to 40 hectares of prime, flexible employment land for high-quality new business premises at Aviation Business Park and Wessex Fields.
- Provide the single largest employment opportunity in the south-east Dorset conurbation with the potential to create around 4,000 new highly skilled jobs over the next decade.
- Generate up to £100 million of GVA into the area.
- Deliver around 700 new homes.
Case Studies:
Anne Warner, Head of Membership, Dorset Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said: “Just to say ‘thank you’ for the updates throughout the works. DCCI and our members really appreciate it. I arrived 30 minutes early for my appointment this morning – the road looks fantastic!”
Councillor Peter Finney, Deputy Leader of Dorset County Council and Cabinet Member for Environment, Infrastructure and Highways, said: “The reconstruction of the Spur Road was long overdue and I’m pleased Dorset Highways have been able to work with our partners Hanson Contracting UK and WSP Parsons Brinckerhoff to make it one of the greenest road maintenance projects in the country. Not only is the recycling rate exceptional, but we have enhanced twenty-three hectares of nearby heathland and created new habitat for reptiles. These last nine months have felt like a lifetime for drivers and businesses, I’d like to thank you for your patience.”
View the End of Project Report.
