Aims of the strategy
Providing a safe, convenient, walking and cycling route between the Poole and Ferndown so that more people will choose to walk and cycle for more of their everyday trips without having to use a car.
Background to the proposal
The Transforming Cities Fund (TCF) is a three-year programme which will run from April 2020 to 2023 and aims to reduce the impacts of congestion, improve journey time reliability, improve air quality and enable the promotion of sustainable modes: creating a more inter-connected region through a phased roll-out of infrastructure changes, such as upgrading or creating new cycle routes, walking paths and providing improvements at key interchanges across the South East Dorset city region.
The Leigh Road Cycleway scheme is part of the TCF S5 Connectivity Corridor which comprises of a combination of bus improvements (including lanes, shelters, real time information and accessibility kerbs), junction improvements and Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plans (LCWIP) derived cycling and walking improvements. It extends from Poole Town Centre (major employment, regeneration and housing sites) complete with train and bus stations all the way to Ferndown (area with local centre and largest industrial estate in Dorset providing over 10,000 jobs) and Wimborne.
The route passes through densely populated housing areas including some of the most deprived in the UK, Poole hospital, St. Marys Maternity hospital, several schools, retail, industrial and employment sites, Longham (large housing sites), Ferndown Town Centre, Ferndown Industrial Estate and Wimborne (Town Centre). It also skirts the large housing sites in north Poole and in Wimborne. This direct, flat and convenient 2.2km long section includes a new segregated cycleway and new crossings.
Intelligence and communication
Intelligence used to inform the EQIA:
- HI1225 – Leigh Road Cycleway - General Arrangement Drawings – Web Link
- Dorset Explorer / Google Maps
- Office of National Statistics
- Dorset Insight
- Sustrans: Inclusive City Cycling – Reducing the gender gap – Web Link.
- Sustrans: Leigh Road Cycleway consultation – Summary in Appendix A.
Data, information, evidence and research used and how it has influenced the decision-making process
Data and research:
- the design of the proposed scheme which is predominantly a segregated cycleway with a section of shared footway/cycleway.
- location of key destinations that may be used by people with protected characteristics. Important locations for this EqIA are:
- place of worship located on Leigh Road with others located within Wimborne.
- Tops Day Nurseries.
- Health destinations in local area i.e. doctors surgeries.
- Education establishments.
- demographic information which has highlighted the increased likelihood of people over the age of 65 in the Dorset area.
- area of deprivation located to south west of Leigh Road.
- barriers to cycling for women.Google Street View – Evidence of cyclists on pavements – Appendix B
Engagement or consultation that has taken place as part of this EqIA
Engagement and consultation was undertaken in partnership with Sustrans in 2019. The outcome of this engagement has helped to inform the design of the scheme. Please see Appendix A for a summary of the consultation and engagement undertaken.
Feedback
The scheme proposals are currently being communicated to the public for a construction date of January 2021.
Assessment
Impacts of the strategy
| Impacts on who or what | Effect | Details |
|---|---|---|
Age |
Positive |
The scheme will provide a traffic free cycle route along Leigh Road / Wimborne Road West. Some sections of the route will be on a shared footway / cycleway which can increase the potential for conflict between pedestrians and cyclists, potentially causing issues for some older people who may have restricted mobility or are partially sighted. However, site visits have shown several cyclists are currently using the pavements along Leigh Road to avoid using the carriageway. Evidenced on Google Street View which has captured an image of a cyclist on the pavement. The provision of the cycleway as planned will provide significant benefits over the current situation, particularly for older people. It should also be noted that the footway improvements and crossings will considerably improve accessibility in the local area. Particularly for older people and families with young children who may find issues with crossing roads in gaps in traffic |
Age bracket affected |
n/a |
65+ (Positive) Families with Children (Positive) |
Disability: (including physical, mental, sensory and progressive conditions) |
Positive |
The proposed improvements will improve accessibility for those with physical and some learning disabilities. The implementation of new footways and cycleways along the road will improve accessibility by avoiding the need to cross the road unnecessarily. The implementation of the new crossing points will significantly improve accessibility for people with disabilities by providing safe places to cross the road. Improvement to surface quality, footway widths and providing continual footways along the length of the road is likely to have a positive effect on people with disabilities. Particularly, those who utilise wheelchairs and mobility scoters. There may be some negative impacts on the shared footway/cycleway sections for blind and partially sighted people along with people for whom the perception of space is an issue. However, cyclists have been observed illegally using the footway along Leigh Road / Wimborne Road West. Therefore, the implementation of the proposals with clear signing and lining will significantly improve the situation in this respect. |
Gender Reassignment & Gender Identity Race and Ethnicity Sexual orientation Marriage or civil partnership Armed Forces communities : |
Neutral |
This proposal is not expected to have any specific impacts on members of this protected characteristic group |
Pregnancy and maternity |
Positive |
Implementation of new crossing points and improvements to surface quality, footway widths and providing continual footways along the length of the road is likely to have a positive effect on pregnancy and maternity. Particularly, pregnant persons trying to cross the road and people pushing buggies and pushchairs |
Religion or belief: |
Positive |
There is a Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses located on Leigh Road. These proposals will improve walking and cycling access to the Kingdom Hall. While the hall is not currently in use due to COVID restrictions. Care will be taken during construction to ensure access is maintained for meetings which take place on a Thursday evening and Sunday daytime |
Sex (consider both men and women): |
Positive |
Sustrans research shows that women tend to feel less safe when cycling on the road. Providing a well lit, off-road cycle route adjacent to the carriageway may therefore benefit this particular group and potentially increase the number of cyclists in the area. |
Carers: |
Positive |
The implementation of new footways and cycleways along the road will improve accessibility and help to avoid the need to cross the road unnecessarily. The implementation of the new crossing points will significantly improve accessibility for people with disabilities by providing safe places to cross the road. Both of these could have a positive impact on carers and who they care for. As previously mentioned, the shared footway/cycleway sections increase the potential conflict between pedestrian and cyclists which could impact on carers. However, cyclists are currently using the existing narrow footways on the road. The proposals will significantly improve the current situation in this regard |
Rural isolation |
Neutral |
Due to the location of the scheme within a suburban area, this proposal is not expected to have any specific impacts on members of this protected characteristic group. |
Positive |
Providing a safe off-road cycle facility and improved facilities for pedestrians at side roads and crossings will positively impact on all families. This scheme will improve sustainable transport access to by the way field which is a popular destination for families. The scheme will also improve access to Tops Day Nurseries which will positively impact families. |
|
Positive |
This route section directly serves an area of deprivation within Wimborne and links to employment in Ferndown and the BCP geographical area. This will provide a direct route for lower paid workers to employment and opportunity, for example apprenticeships, at Ferndown Industrial Estate. |
Key to impacts
Positive
the proposal eliminates discrimination, advances equality of opportunity and/or fosters good relations with protected groups
Negative
Protected characteristic group(s) could be disadvantaged or discriminated against
Neutral
No change/ no assessed significant impact of protected characteristic groups
Unclear
Not enough data/evidence has been collected to make an informed decision
Action Plan
| Issue | Action to be taken | Person responsible | Date to be completed by |
|---|---|---|---|
Conflict between pedestrians and cyclists on shared footway / cycleways |
Scheme to be monitored post implementation to establish impact on conflict between pedestrians and cyclists. |
Joseph Rose |
October 2022 – 1-year post implementation |
Access to Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses during construction. |
Access to all properties will be maintained during construction with limited restrictions during construction of access points. It is important that access is maintained for meetings when COVID restrictions are lifted. Stakeholders will be kept informed during construction with ongoing updates and active management of traffic management measures |
Joseph Rose / Owen Lister / Hanson Contracting |
October 2021 – construction completion. |
Name: Joseph Rose
Job Title: Project Team Manager
Date: 9 November 2020
Who agreed this EqIA?
Officer completing this EqIA: Joseph Rose
Date: 27 November 2020
Equality Lead: Susan Ward-Rice
Date: 11 December 2020
Equality & Diversity Action Group Chair: Rick Perry
Date: 16 December 2020