To receive any public questions, statements or petitions submitted in accordance with the Constitution. Further information on the requirements for submitting these is available to view at the following link:-
https://democracy.bcpcouncil.gov.uk/ieListMeetings.aspx?CommitteeID=151&Info=1&bcr=1
The deadline for the submission of public questions is mid-day on Thursday 16 July 2026 [mid-day 3 clear working days before the meeting].
The deadline for the submission of a statement is mid-day on Tuesday 21 July 2026 [mid-day the working day before the meeting].
The deadline for the submission of a petition is Wednesday 8 July 2026 [10 working days before the meeting].
Minutes:
Cabinet was advised that there had been no petitions by members of the public on this occasion, but that six questions and two statements had been submitted in relation to Minute No. 31 (Local Transport Plan).
Public Question from David Redgewell read by Democratic Services
Under the Local Transport plan for Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Borough Council and Dorset Council.
Bus Travel is the most use from of Public Transport under the Bus service improvement plan interchange between buses, coaches, Trains Ferry's and Airports are very important.
What improvement are planned at Poole Bus and coach station and (Seldown coach park.)
Bournemouth Transport interchange for passengers’ facilities toilets cafes waiting area to improve Bus to National Express coaches limited and Flixbus coaches network interchange which are very provide important connectivity and access to Economy Development and Tourism in Bournemouth Christchurch and Poole, and at both locations what improvements are being put in place to improve access to the Railways stations.
Response from Andy Hadley, Portfolio Holder for Climate Response, Environment and Energy
The Local Transport Plan is a long-term 15-year plan. We must envisage potential major changes over that time, but the travel interchange issues that you highlight are significant to supporting seamless journeys.
We are discussing longer term options in Poole regarding the co-location of the rail and bus stations, and the best location for the depot, with a particular relevance to the timeline for electrification of the bus fleet.
The Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) grant funding has already delivered a whole series of developments and improvements in the Bus Station in partnership with Morebus that includes: -
· New real time information totems at 15 stands with inbuilt CCTV for security
· Cleaning and redecoration of canopy and railings
· Upgrade of lighting to LED
· Provision of new safety signage including No Smoking/Vaping
· New bins throughout
· Creation of new landscaped garden waiting area with additional seating and mural
· Provision of new accessible pedestrian entrance to coach stops in the adjacent Seldown Coach Park with CCTV throughout
· Provision of 2 x Full Time Transport Safety Officers for the Bus Station and the buses and at other interchanges across BCP
Further improvements are planned including: -
· New flooring treatment
· New seating provided adjacent to every bus stand
· Potential re-opening of the toilets
· New waiting shelters with CCTV in Seldown Coach Park
At Bournemouth Travel Interchange the council has delivered signage and cleansing improvements.
Near-term improvements planned include 3 new passenger information totems to be installed in September, and these will provide real time bus information and CCTV.
Airport connectivity is covered in your next question, and Railway accessibility is covered in your third question.
In Poole access between the Bus and Rail stations is a short walk, also a bus link is provided by the Route ONE town centre bus, operating every 15 minutes during the daytime. This service is being upgraded this Autumn with two fully electric minibuses. These are being funded by BSIP and will be the first fully electric buses in the BCP area.
You also highlight links to the ferry port. The Morebus Route 9 serves Lower Hamworthy and could perhaps be better advertised as a link to the ferries to the Channel Islands and France. Given recent bad news regarding the Cherbourg link, we need to follow whether that service will be replaced.
Public Question from David Redgewell read by Democratic Services
With Bournemouth Airport being one of the fastest growing Airports in south west England and Wessex, a mass transit route is proposed across Poole, Bournemouth and Christchurch a light Rail system in the local Transport plan in the Future.
But what progress is being made on bus or coach services to the Airport upgrade the was a condition of 20 08 planning permission for Regular bus service to the Airport and skypark?
Response from Andy Hadley, Portfolio Holder for Climate Response, Environment and Energy
Having promoted light rail for the area 30 years ago, including links to the Airport, Ferndown and Wimborne, I am somewhat cautious about the speed with which strategic solutions may appear, but am really keen to keep those conversations alive.
The council is currently working with Bournemouth Airport to provide a more regular bus service in line with their S106 Agreement from 2007. The airport owner has recently approached the council to develop a revised service that better serves airport passengers, terminal staff and people working at the airport business park. It is important to recognise that it’s the daily journeys to work which will sustain such a service.
For wider connectivity to the Airport, it would be great if National Express and Flixbus were to call at the airport, I’d encourage any prospective passengers to lobby them.
Public Question from David Redgewell read by Democratic Services
In the local Transport plan, there are plans for a Dorset railway metro service from Brockenhurst to Wareham and extension Swanage.
So what progress is being made on access for passengers with reduced mobility and partly sighted passengers wheelchairs users at Pokesdown, Bournemouth, central, Branksome, Parkstone, Poole Hamworthy station, and Wareham station, with lifts Bridge scheme and accessible toilets.
In partnership with Network Rail Wessex southwestern Railways Arriva Cross country trains 1sq capital service. BCP council, Dorset Council and western Gateway Transport Board Council.
Response from Andy Hadley, Portfolio Holder for Climate Response, Environment and Energy
The Dorset Metro concept has been accepted as a good idea, but the enabling works – signalling and track adjustments to achieve it are a significant cost. We have been pressing Network Rail on possible timetable adjustments to restore services to enable swifter transfer across the conurbation by train, as part of their current timetable review. Currently, dwell time and train splitting at Bournemouth undoes that advantage.
The council has worked with South Western Railway and Network Rail in recent years to progress the delivery of lifts at Pokesdown Railway Station. Thanks to the intervention of our local MP, we understand that the installation of the lifts at Pokesdown is imminent.
The council has promoted accessibility at BCP railway stations as a priority both directly with Network Rail and SWR, and at the Western Gateway Sub-National Transport Body to raise the profile of the need to upgrade the stations to make them accessible for all. The stations are owned by Network Rail and operated by South Western Railways so the council influence is limited but it is doing what it can.
The Western Gateway Implementation Plan includes two specific railway accessibility schemes No. 53 (Rail Station Access Programme) and No. 54 (BCP Rail Station Accessibility Programme) to address the difficulties in accessing the stations. It is expected that any new lifts or other major accessibility enhancements would be funded through the Government’s Access for All programme, although that is heavily overcommitted.
Public Question from Rosa Kell read by Democratic Services
With the new Cambridge south railway station cost £250 million pounds to build, with limited passengers facilities.
Where is the money coming from?
If Poole station was moved closer to Poole Town centre with a bus rail Interchange, and passengers’ facilities, waiting room, cafe toilets disabled changing places Toilet staff accommodation lifts etc
Would this be funded by Network Rail GBR, and Developers and BCP council as proposed in local Transport plan till 2041.
Response from Andy Hadley, Portfolio Holder for Climate Response, Environment and Energy
An integrated transport hub with both rail and bus co-located would permit smoother transport changes and would be fitted with all necessary features for passenger comfort. It is expected that any redevelopment of Poole Station would need to be funded from multiple sources and from multiple partners including Great British Railways (including Network Rail and South Western Railways), local landowners, MoreBus, developers, the council and there would likely need to be central government investment too.
However, unlike Cambridge South which required extensive tunnelling and re-signalling works as part of the £250m cost the construction of a typical Network Rail modular station is expected to cost £20-£30m. Wider regeneration would increase those costs.
There are significant operational challenges for Great British Railways with the Level Crossing and the station being on a curve, plus an ageing temporary station building. Morebus are seeking funding to electrify their fleet, and any significant moves would be better done in advance of such investment. Legal and General have been farsighted in reimagining the Dolphin Centre, and we need to co-ordinate with all the parties if we can.
Public Question from Rosa Kell read by Democratic Services
What progress is being made?
Under the Local Transport plan on improvements in the Next 5 year on improvements to Transport Interchange hubs for buses coaches Railway services, ferrys walking cycling E scooters and at the Bournemouth Airport Transport hubs Christchurch, Bournemouth and Poole.
In Bournemouth Town centre, Transport Interchange, Rail station, Poole bus and coach station, Bournemouth Airport, and Bournemouth Hospital.
Response from Andy Hadley, Portfolio Holder for Climate Response, Environment and Energy
The first answer to the previous speaker hopefully highlights many of the recent and planned changes at the travel interchanges.
As highlighted, the council is also working with the Airport to increase the frequency and improve the timings of bus services to the airport. It is also the same for Royal Bournemouth Hospital. New information totems have been installed at the Hospital hub with CCTV now fitted in all bus shelters. A “quiet” cycle route has been developed from the Hospital to Bournemouth station and has been clearly signed.
Regarding International Ferries the council will support Poole Harbour Commissioners in any way that it can to secure an alternative operator. We are also supportive of the Poole Harbour Commissioners’ plans to reinstate the Hamworthy Branch Line for freight traffic and have been working closely with them to attract investment to enable this to happen.
Regarding the Swanage Chain Ferry, the council will be keen to see the company source a more sustainable replacement vessel. We are committed to working with the Ferry Company and Dorset Council to ensure that the continues to form an accessible part of the transport network. It would be ideal if they restored priority for buses to keep them running to timetable.
On walking and cycling the plan sets out planned walking and cycling improvements in line with the Local Cycling & Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP).
The council is working closely with the rail operator South Western Railway to improve the interchange between rail, bus and micromobility options. BCP Council has worked in close collaboration with Bike and E-scooter Share operator Beryl to ensure availability adjacent to main rail stations and bus stops. Surveys have shown 52% of Beryl users have ridden a bike or e-scooter to connect with a public transport journey.
Public Question from Rosa Kell read by Democratic Services
The local Transport Plan does not appear to highlight the importance of Interchange between National Express coaches limited and Flixbus coaches and the need to improve the coach station facilities at Bournemouth interchange and Poole bus and coach station Seldown coach Park, and coach parking and interchanges with local Morebus services
What plans does the coach have to improve passengers facilities toilets cafes waiting area Travel centres and real-time information.
Response from Andy Hadley, Portfolio Holder for Climate Response, Environment and Energy
As highlighted in the previous answer we recognise the importance of the interchange points at both sites. This is included in policy F4: “Deliver high quality transport interchanges and clear passenger information to improve journeys involving more than one form of transport.”
At Bournemouth Travel Interchange the council has delivered signage, cleansing and bus stop improvements and the CCTV at the totems.
Improvements to the toilet facilities have been undertaken. The council provides travel information, security and cleansing services as part of its management of the site.
A further package of improvements including additional seating and real time information is being developed in partnership with the operators.
In the Poole Seldown Coach Park this has been linked to the Bus Station by a new fully accessible pedestrian entrance which has CCTV throughout.
The new landscaped garden I have already mentioned with additional seating and mural has also been created, providing coach passengers with a pleasant place to wait.
New shelters for the coach stops with CCTV are on order and will be delivered this year. Further wayfinding improvements are also planned.
There are a range of cafes and other outlets adjacent to the Poole bus station, and we do hope to reopen the toilets there.
Public Statement from Rosa Kell read by Democratic Services
Whist we welcome the Bournemouth Christchurch Poole and Dorset Local Transport plan, 2026 to 2041.
To improve Railway service like the Dorset Metro proposal.
Or a light rail network across BCP and improvement in Ferry services from Poole and Bournemouth to Swanage and rail freight facilities to Hamworthy port of Poole.
The councils need lobby UK government for the Wessex mayoral combined Authority, for BCP, Dorset, Somerset unitary Council, Wiltshire and Swindon.
The next 5 years the investment should be on access to jobs opportunities Schools college's University's Hospital health facilities shopping centres coach/bus network.
With bus lanes traffic lights priority measures, good waiting shelters real-time information systems lighting cctv, seating, transport hubs improvement in all main BCP area and improvement to National Express coaches and Flixbus services to Bournemouth interchange & Poole bus and coach station.
To build a bus rapid transit route network around BCP and southeast Dorset.