A sustainable and accessible location
The Innovation Quarter site, including the proposed new Nuffield Health hospital, is in an extremely accessible location, well served by sustainable travel options, including:
- Key bus routes serving the wider conurbation, accessed at stops on Wallisdown Road and the Bournemouth University Bus Hub. Large areas of the conurbation are within a reasonable bus commute time of the Innovation Quarter.
- Potential for services to use new bus stops on Gillett Road, improving bus permeability.
- Easy bus connectivity to Bournemouth Rail Station, connecting to the local and national rail network.
- Recent investment in sustainable travel on the Wallisdown Road corridor.
- A wide range of cycle routes, including those being delivered as part of the significant investment made via Transforming Cities Fund making the site accessible from Bournemouth Town Centre, Ferndown, Wimborne, Merley, Poole and Christchurch by bicycle.
- A network of paths and Public Rights of Way linking the site with the wider area.
Our vision for the Innovation Quarter, and shared by Nuffield Health, seeks to prioritise sustainable travel modes, making it as convenient as possible to use transport means other than private vehicles supporting wellbeing across the community.
This includes:
- Talbot Way Boulevard will be a tree lined and landscaped north-south route for pedestrians & cyclists and forming a central spine connecting to existing uses to the north, such as the two Universities, the model village, and Slade Farm. It will also link to Alyth Road through an improved connection, and the upgraded cycle routes towards the Central Gardens, Town Centre and the beach.
- Extension of the off-carriageway cycle route along Gillett Road to link with the Talbot Way Boulevard.
- Maximise bus accessibility by working with local bus providers to re-route services to use new bus stops at the proposed Talbot Place.
- Introducing new shared mobility schemes at the Innovation Quarter such as cycle hire, electric scooters and electric car clubs. As well as providing great facilities for cycle storage for those who wish to cycle to the Innovation Quarter.
- There is the opportunity to provide a pedestrian/cycle route within the 15m buffer zone to the east of the site, parallel to Dulsie Road enabling north south pedestrian route in an attractive landscaped corridor. We are keen to understand how local people feel about this route as part of the consultation in addition to the main north / south link provided by Talbot Way Boulevard.
Plan showing sustainable travel options in wider area
Plan showing sustainable travel options in immediate area
Vehicle access
We also understand that it will not always be possible for everyone to use sustainable modes of transport all the time.
Located just about 2.4 miles (4 kilometres) to the north-west of Bournemouth town centre and 6.3 miles (10 kilometres) east of Poole town centre, the site is easily accessed from the A3049 Wallisdown Road, via Fern Barrow or Gillett Road. The A3049 Wallisdown Road provides an important east-west route through the conurbation providing direct highway access from Bournemouth Town Centre and the main point of access to Bournemouth University and the Arts University Bournemouth, together with homes in Talbot Village.
Guidance regarding the proposed level of parking required for the Innovation Quarter is set-out as part of the adopted BCP Parking SPD. The proposals reflect this guidance and will provide a range of surface parking which will also include electric vehicle charging spaces as well as sufficient cycle parking and facilities for cyclists.
An extension to Cutler Close will provide car access to the proposed Nuffield Hospital (c.200 spaces), and service vehicle access to Nuffield and the remainder of the Innovation Quarter. This will include the reconfiguration of existing University car parking.
Parking for the remaining commercial uses (c.270 spaces) within the Innovation Quarter will be accessed via Purchase Road. This access will be for car trips only and no service vehicles will use Purchase Road.
Sensitively spreading traffic between Purchase Road and Cutler Close is intended to reduce the concentration of vehicle trips on these routes, and facilitate delivery of the car-free Talbot Way Boulevard, which will be a major benefit for the local community across the whole area.
Site Movement Strategy Plan