A PROJECT to deliver a series of highways improvements in Ringwood ahead of the widening of the A31 is expected to start later this month.

Hampshire County Council says the £229,000 scheme is being carried out following consultations on what can be done to make the town safer for people on foot or a bicycle.

Highways England's project to widen the westbound carriageway of the A31 is due to begin next spring.

It does include closing the West Street access onto the A31 and, therefore, has raised some concerns from Ringwood residents and businesses.

County council deputy leader Cllr Rob Humby said: "As a consequence of these Highway England works, Hampshire County Council has been working collaboratively with New Forest District Council and Ringwood Town Council to develop a programme of small scale measures that support the Ringwood Town Access Plan.

"These measures will help improve pedestrian and cycle safety, while ensuring good access to the town remains after the closure of West Street."

The county council scheme improvements include:

  • Resurfacing and widening Strides Lane footpath and installing new dropped kerbs
  • Installations of traffic calming measures to create a gateway at the Market Place end of West Street
  • Construction of an improved pedestrian crossing between the Furlong Shopping Centre and Ringwood Gateway/the town centre car parks
  • Improvements to the pedestrian crossing adjacent to the Ringwood Meeting House

Works to enable the closure of the West Street access, which will be followed by reversal of the one-way traffic flow in Meeting House Lane, will either be carried out later in the year or in early 2021.

Mayor of Ringwood Town Tony Ring, said: “I’m glad Ringwood Town Council has been able to contribute to this project. As we address the impacts of our activities on the environment, we welcome measures that will make it easier and safer for everyone to get to and from our town centre on foot or by bike.”