News
2 Jun 08Traffic Study To Resume
A major study of traffic movement and transport needs in South East Dorset is set to resume.
Traffic surveys will be conducted across the Poole and Bournemouth area over the next two weeks as part of an ongoing £2 million transport study.
A programme of roadside traffic surveys at 60 locations across South East Dorset and West Hampshire is being carried out until the autumn.
Information has been gathered from around 15,000 drivers at 17 roadside surveys since the study was launched at the end of April.
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 transport movements in South East Dorset and influence future road and transport improvements, plus housing and employment developments, over the next 20 years.
Rick Clayton, Project Manager for the South East Dorset Transport Study, said: "The road side surveys we have conducted so far have already provided valuable data about traffic movements on the outskirts of the Poole and Bournemouth. Apart from some reported queuing in the Parley area and on Whitelegg Way, these surveys have largely operated without causing major delays.
"We would like to thank drivers for their co-operation so far and ask for their patience over the next couple of weeks when the surveys move into the urban areas between and around the two centres of Poole and Bournemouth. We appreciate that this may cause delays and some inconvenience to drivers, however it is important that we collect accurate information so that we don't need to repeat the surveys at further cost and disruption."
The location of the surveys are carefully planned to record traffic movements from one area to another, with signs and cones laid out to ensure the safety of drivers and survey staff. To reduce delays at peak periods, survey staff will be handing 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 so 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 into and around the two town centres over the two weeks while the surveys are carried out.
"However, anyone who has a flight, ferry or important hospital appointment can contact the project team with their journey details and we may be able to advise them if they may be affected."
The project team can be contacted by answer phone on 01202 265260 or email: SEDorset.transport@poole.gov.uk.
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