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News

Traffic Surveys To Resume

Roadside traffic surveys are set to resume across South East Dorset and West Hampshire from September 9.

The surveys will take place at 31 locations throughout September and October as part of an ongoing £2 million study into traffic movements and transport needs.

Results of the surveys will be used to develop a comprehensive transport model for the Poole, Bournemouth and Christchurch conurbation and surrounding areas. This will help to build an accurate picture of traffic movements and influence future road and transport improvements, plus housing and employment developments, over the next 20 years.

Without the study, transport improvements in South East Dorset, estimated at £400 million, cannot be delivered.

So far, information has been gathered from about 33,000 drivers at 30 roadside surveys undertaken in the spring.

Rick Clayton, Project Manager for the South East Dorset Transport Study, said: "We would like to thank drivers for their co-operation so far and ask for their patience during the autumn when the surveys will be on some of the more major routes into and out of the area. The surveys may cause some delays, but collecting this information is the first step in the process of delivering the new roads, buses and transport policies that should make moving around the area less stressful in the future."

The location of the roadside surveys are carefully planned to record traffic movements between areas. To reduce delays at peak periods, survey staff will hand out pre-paid postcards to drivers rather than stopping them for interviews. Drivers will be able to complete the survey and return the postcard via the post.

Mr Clayton said: "We do not advertise the locations and dates of the surveys to avoid motorists changing their normal journeys and leaving us with meaningless data. As a precaution, we are advising all drivers to allow a little extra time for their journeys around the area over the two months while the surveys are carried out."

Anyone with a flight, ferry or important hospital appointment can contact the project team with their journey details for advice on if they may be affected. The project team can be contacted by answer phone on 01202 265260 or email: SEDorset.transport@poole.gov.uk. Alternatively, people can visit www.bournemouth.gov.uk/SEDorsetTransportStudy for more information.

Ian Turner, Media Relations Officer
Tel: 01202 633295