Work is to start to redesign Station Approach in the centre of Swanage in Dorset to make it more accessible and safer for pedestrians.
The £150,000 scheme will include narrowing the exit from Station Approach to slow traffic and reduce the hazard of drivers turning off the roundabout into the no entrance area, as well as creating more accessible footpaths.
An improved footpath across the front of the station to the Co-op will be clearly highlighted to naturally encourage pedestrians to use the walkway
The entrance and exit to the car park will be raised to make it clear that pedestrians have priority across the continuous footpath
Pedestrians in the road
Buses, cars, taxis, train users, Co-op shoppers and doctors’ surgery patients currently all compete for space across the forecourt area, with pedestrians often in the road to avoid obstructions.
The land is owned by Swanage Town Council with the Co-op, Swanage Medical Practice and Swanage Railway all leaseholders.
In 2022, highway consultants WSP was commissioned by Dorset Council, on behalf of Swanage Town Council to undertake a pedestrian safety feasibility study of Station Approach and to provide recommendations for improvements.
The report found a number of safety issues:
“Overall, the pedestrian experience within Station Approach is very poor. With a hodgepodge of surface finishes, undulations, maintenance patching, trench reinstatements, and kerbline inconsistencies.
“General footway widths and routes are also substandard. Creating an uneven surface with many different textures and shades of material, without direct line of sight to required destinations.
“All of which can be uncomfortable and off-putting to many people, especially those with sight and mobility considerations.”
The exit will be narrowed so vehicles are less likely to go in the out
The raised bed will be kept and the pedestrian area will be resurfaced and unified, removing the old patchwork of surfaces
Contractors will work during the night
Now, work to improve the busy area has been scheduled to start on Monday 13th January 2025 and should be completed by Friday 7th February 2025.
It will be carried out by Dorset Council on behalf of Swanage Town Council, following consultation with users of the area, including the group Accessible Swanage, which seeks to improve the everyday life of those with disabilities.
Due to the need for daytime access to Station Approach, the contractors will work during the night from 10 pm to 6 am, Monday to Friday.
The £150,000 budget includes a contribution of £15,000 from the Co-op towards the additional cost of the night time working to reduce daytime disruption to shoppers.
The final plan of action
Key measures
- Narrowing the exit from Station Approach to slow traffic and discourage vehicles from entering via the roundabout
- Upgrading the pedestrian crossing with coloured surfacing and tactile paving to increase driver awareness
- Creating a coloured, continuous footway across the Co-op entrance/exit, giving pedestrians priority
- Widening the pavement in front of the station loading bay to keep pedestrians out of the road
- Raising the disabled bays to footway level for better access to the health centre
- Resurfacing the area and refreshing/installing road markings
The Blue Badge parking bays will be raised in line with the footpath, providing step free access to the footpath
However the medical centre won’t move their cars to provide easy access from the Blue Badge bays to the surgery’s front door
“Long-awaited improvements”
Councillor Mike Bonfield, chair of the town council’s community services committee said:
“I’m delighted that we’re moving forward with these long-awaited improvements to pedestrian safety in Station Approach. As a busy and well-used transport hub, this area will greatly benefit from improved accessibility and enhanced pedestrian and road safety measures.
“I’d like to extend my gratitude to Dorset Council, and also to Accessible Swanage for their valuable input and the time they’ve dedicated to collaborating with us, which has been instrumental in shaping the final design of the scheme.”
It was decided that it was too costly and logistically difficult to move the bus shelters but pedestrians and wheelchair users should find the pathway easier to navigate
This area will change the most with the hotchpotch of levels and surfaces all being unified
“Minimise the impact”
Councillor Cliff Sutton, chair of the town council’s traffic management advisory committee added:
“We acknowledge that there will be some disruption during the works, but we have taken steps to minimise the impact by scheduling the work at night.
“This ensures that shoppers, transport hub users, and visitors to the medical centre can continue to use the area during the day.
“I would like to thank the businesses and organisations operating in Station Approach for their understanding and support, which has been invaluable in helping us deliver these improvements.”
The council is warning that unexpected site conditions or severe winter weather may extend the duration of the works, but every effort will be made to keep to the timetable.
This path is quite narrow, so roll back strips will ensure that the taxis remember to park like this and not too close to the pavement
Last but not least, the forecourt will be resurfaced and the potholes filled in!
Further information
- Anyone with questions or concerns should contact Swanage Town Council on 01929 766034 or via admin@swanage.gov.uk
