Shuttle bus during Canford Bottom roundabout road closures

BUS passengers who use the Wilts & Dorset route 13 from Wimborne to Bournemouth will need to board a special shuttle bus service between Wimborne and Colehill during road closures at the Canford Bottom roundabout. There will be a route change and some bus stops between Stapehill and Canford Bottom will not be serviced. A contribution has been agreed by the Highways Authority in recognition of the additional cost that the shuttle service will require to help commuters use the four buses offered each hour during the day.

Ed Wills, divisional director for Wilts & Dorset, said that the undisclosed sum made as a contribution to the shuttle's operation cost was appreciated.

"The shuttle will help our drivers keep to timetable on the thirteen's route between Ferndown and Bournemouth so we can keep the service reliable for other customers who do not travel as far as Canford Bottom," said Ed Wills. "We expect that the shuttle will cost over £30,000 over the closure period so the contribution from the Highways Authority is essential. There is every chance that the disruption may also have a negative influence on the number of passengers we carry during the closure."

Janet Dover, the County Councillor for Colehill and Stapehill, said: "I am very pleased to have helped in obtaining part of the funding for the provision of a shuttle bus which residents from Colehill and Stapehill will be able to use to access local services whilst the local roads adjoining the Canford Bottom Roundabout are diverted because of the road works by the Highways Agency. This is a great example of joint working between Wilts and Dorset, the Highways Agency and Dorset County Council for the benefit of local residents."

Managers at Wilts & Dorset's Poole depot will closely monitor other services in the Wimborne area as traffic congestion on major roads may have an impact on other bus routes and urged bus users to check the company's website www.wdbus.co.uk and their facebook page. Information will also be available on the helpline 01983 827005.

Road closures

Local road closures began on Wednesday.

Until Thursday 16th February Ham Lane and Wimborne Road West (Ferndown side) will be closed at the junction.

All four local roads, Wimborne Road West (both Ferndown and Wimborne sides), Ham Lane and Canford Bottom Road, will be closed at the roundabout between Friday 17th February and Thursday 8th March.

There will then be two weeks between 9th and 23rd March when Canford Bottom Road and Wimborne Road West (Wimborne side) will be closed at the roundabout.

Clearly signed diversion routes will be in place during the closures.

There will be occasional overnight closures of the A31 between the Merley and Ameysford roundabouts, for carriageway work to take place. This week, the A31 will be closed in both directions from 11pm-6am tonight (Friday) between both the Canford Bottom and Ameysford roundabouts, and between the Canford Bottom and Merley roundabouts. Clearly signed diversions will be in place.