Ferndown public realm improvements to start this September

Improvement work to enhance Victoria Road, Ferndown starts on Monday 7 September 2026.

The scheme has been developed following extensive feedback from residents and businesses during public consultation. The final designs reflect the features people said they value most about Victoria Road and create an attractive, welcoming and accessible town centre environment.

The project is being delivered by Dorset Council with Ferndown Town Council and Litter Free Dorset also contributing to the cost.

The improvements are designed to create an avenue effect in Victoria Road, enhance the street scene and discourage inappropriate footway parking. The scheme includes:

• Kerbside planting beds built into the footway, with heritage-style bollards to help prevent parking on footways
• Nine large planters, including two with integrated seating, containing ornamental trees along the length of Victoria Road
• Additional seating areas with integrated planting on both sides of the road
• New heritage-style street furniture, including benches, cycle stands and litter bins

These improvements will add greenery, enhance the appearance of the town centre and provide more opportunities for people to sit, meet and spend time in the area.

Cllr Jon Andrews, Dorset Council’s Cabinet Member for Place Services, said: "Victoria Road is an important part of Ferndown town centre and these improvements are designed to create a more attractive and welcoming environment for everyone.

“Residents and businesses are keen to see investment that improves the look and feel of the area while supporting local trade, and that's exactly what this scheme aims to achieve.”

Business as usual

Cllr Andrews continued: "We recognise that construction work can be disruptive and we will make every effort to minimise the impact on businesses, residents, customers and visitors.

“Victoria road will remain open throughout the works, with pedestrian access to all businesses maintained at all times.

“We thank everyone for their patience, co-operation and enthusiasm.”

Work is expected to take around 10 weeks to complete.  

Ferndown Mayor, Cllr Lawrence Wilson, said: "Ferndown Town Council is delighted to confirm that improvements to Victoria Road are scheduled to begin on 7 September, with the works expected to take approximately ten weeks.

"Throughout this period, Victoria Road will remain open, and access to all shops will be maintained.

"The project has been developed in partnership with Dorset Council and Litter Free Dorset and reflects input from Town Council councillors and officers since the May 2024 elections. We promised to do what we could to improve our town, and this project represents a significant step forward. 

"We are very pleased to see this important project now moving ahead and look forward to seeing the improvements take shape."

See the project page.

Parking changes

Parking provision was one of the key issues raised during consultation. In response, proposals have been developed to improve nearby short-stay parking and loading opportunities. This includes:

Victoria Road

• A dedicated loading bay close to the Post Office with a maximum stay of 20 minutes and no return within one hour.
• “No loading” restrictions adjacent to and opposite the loading bay to ensure the carriageway remains clear and unobstructed.
• Removal of the existing Temporary Traffic Regulation Order (TTRO) “no loading” restrictions on the remainder of Victoria Road, allowing the previous “no waiting” restrictions to be reinstated and enabling Blue Badge holders to park within these areas.

Princes Road

• Introduction of marked parking bays for up to eight vehicles with a maximum stay of 30 minutes and no return within one hour, together with a one-hour parking allowance for Blue Badge holders.
• Introduction of permanent parking restrictions and “no loading” restrictions in locations where they are necessary to prevent obstruction of junctions, accesses and the highway.

As these parking changes require amendments to existing Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs), these measures may not be implemented until after the Victoria Road improvement works have been completed.

A TRO is a statutory legal process and is subject to public consultation before any changes can be confirmed. Further information, including details on how to provide comments, are available here.