Help shape the future look of Victoria Road, Ferndown

Residents, businesses and visitors can view proposed improvements for one of Ferndown's busiest streets.

The changes planned for Victoria Road in 2026 will create a welcoming, accessible and attractive space, supporting a vibrant Ferndown economy and will help to address road safety issues.

See the proposals online here.

They will also be displayed at drop-in events in Ferndown from mid-October, when officers and councillors will be on hand to answer questions and listen to feedback on the proposals.

The events will be hosted by Ferndown Town Council from 14 October in the Theatre at the Barrington Centre, Pennys Walk, Ferndown BH22 9TH. These will show a range of designs for new furniture, plants and planters, flagpoles and bollards.

The events will coincide with a survey where people can give their feedback, either at the events or online. The survey will run from 13 October to 13 November 2025.

As well as new co-ordinated street furniture and planters, unsafe footway parking will be prevented by the installation of bollards to keep the footway clear. A permanent Traffic Regulation Order to restrict loading is also being considered. Vehicle access along the road, access to businesses and for business deliveries will be maintained.

Cllr Jon Andrews, Dorset Council Cabinet Member for Place Services, said: “We know how important Victoria Road is to the people of Ferndown, and we want to make sure the improvements reflect what residents and businesses value most.

“These proposals complement a number of projects in Ferndown in recent years, including wider shared-use paths along Wimborne Road East, upgraded crossings and bus stops and improved junctions for better safety and accessibility. We’ve also recently installed new crossings on Church Road, helping to make journeys to school safer.

“I encourage you to have a look at the proposals and take part in the survey when it launches to help shape the final design.

"Thank you to the town council and Litter Free Dorset for their continued co-operation on this scheme.”

Cllr Lawrence Wilson, Ferndown Town Mayor, said: “I am very pleased that we can now share the exciting plans for improvements to Victoria Road. These proposals have been carefully developed to create a fresh and attractive feel for the road, whilst balancing the many constraints faced by the design team.

“We, like residents, had hoped that we would be able to include some trees in the design, but unfortunately the number of below-surface services, coupled with not being able to plant trees in the new planters, makes this impossible.

“The new planters, containing shrubs and plants, will provide the greenery along the street everyone is so keen to have.

“The Town Council is grateful to Dorset Council and Litter Free Dorset for their financial contributions, and I would also like to thank the Dorset Council officers who have dedicated so much time and energy to shaping these designs.”

The proposals

• New planters (some with benches) with year-round planting to add colour and interest to Victoria Road
• Bollards along the footway edge to prevent unsafe footway parking and create a welcoming area between the road and businesses
• Replacing outdated benches that are in poor condition with new areas to sit and enjoy the area
• Co-ordinated street features (bollards, bins and cycle parking) that complement the new planters and benches
• Adding flagpoles, aligned with the bollards, to hold seasonal flags, creating a welcoming, vibrant and colourful ‘avenue’ effect

Due to underground utilities, replanting trees into the ground is not possible, but the councils will ensure greenery is an integral part of the improvements with planters installed.

Accessibility will remain around the pedestrian crossing, bus lay-bys and private entrances.

Consideration will also be given to making the current emergency Traffic Regulation Order permanent to prevent inappropriate and unsafe parking along Victoria Road.

Have your say

Visitors to the engagement events will be able to view three design styles (eco, heritage and modern) and share their preferences for planters, benches, bins and flags.

Feedback will help inform the final design choices. We aim to have the improvements installed by spring 2026 to meet the planting season.

If you cannot attend the events, you will also be able to have your say online by completing the survey at www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/victoria-road-ferndown-improvements from Monday 13 October.

Event details

Drop-in sessions will be held at the Ferndown Town Council offices, Barrington Centre, Pennys Walk, Ferndown BH22 9TH

Dates and times:

Tuesday 14 October - 2.30pm to 5.30pm

Monday 20 October - 4pm to 7pm

Thursday 30 October - 4pm to 7pm

Thursday 6 November - 9.30am to 12.30pm  

The survey will be available to complete from Monday 13 October. In the meantime, learn more about the improvements at dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/victoria-road-ferndown-improvements