ROADS closures through Bournemouth town centre are to be pushed back as part of a new trial.
Several roads in the centre, including around Horseshoe Common, St Peter’s Road and Fir Vale Road, have been closed to motor vehicles every night between 10pm and 5am.
However, following feedback from businesses in the area, BCP Council has agreed to push the closure time back an hour to 11pm each night.
The authority has said it hopes that by pushing back the time to 11pm, it will help out taxis and takeaway delivery drivers and their business.
- Should the roads be closed at night? Send us your views for publication to letters@bournemouthecho.co.uk
BCP Council’s spokesman said: “Following discussions between the leader of BCP Council, Cllr Vikki Slade and local businesses, in addition to productive meetings with restaurants, bars, cafes, clubs, shops and the Town Centre BID, we believe moving the current closure back an extra hour could be hugely beneficial to the night-time economy in Bournemouth.
“We hope that by improving access for this extra hour in the evening this will increase business for taxis and takeaway and delivery restaurants, while ensuring that the removal of vehicles later in the evening keeps the area safe for those on foot, moving between the pubs and clubs around this area.”
From Monday, April 22 the closure will start from 11pm with an experimental traffic order being put in place for the next six months.
As well as this, residents and business owners can have their say on the scheme via a public consultation on the council’s ‘Have your say’ web page.
The road closure will affect Dean Park Crescent, Fir Vale Road, Hinton Road, Lorne Park Road, Madeira Road, Old Christchurch Road and St Peter’s Road.
Last year, BCP Council won approval from the government to install cameras to snap motorists bypassing the barriers at the closures.
However, despite still not being installed yet, the cameras will cost more than £140,000 according to council documents.
Police often patrol the area at night, dishing out fines of up to £100 and three points on driving licences to those who are caught.
Initial proposals stated the closure was to safely accommodate the nighttime economy that brings an influx of people.
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