Victoria Road Ferndown improvements
Project aims
We want to create a more welcoming, accessible and attractive space for residents, businesses and visitors, supporting a vibrant Ferndown economy.
The aim is to improve:
- the look of the public areas in Ferndown town centre
- address safety and access issues caused by inappropriate parking on the footway
Some background information that has informed this:
- in early 2025, deteriorating planters containing large trees were removed from the footway due to safety concerns
- benches are in poor condition
- inappropriate footway parking is a problem, creating safety hazards and detracting from the town’s appearance
- there have been injury collisions in the town centre, some linked to footway parking
- residents have expressed a strong desire for improvements to address safety issues and enhance the look and feel of Victoria Road. People are keen to see trees replanted
What has been happening
We are continuing to work with Ferndown Town Council and Litter Free Dorset to develop a design for an enhanced environment.We are listening to residents and businesses:
- a 2017 consultation has informed that a stronger identity for Ferndown is important for residents
- removal of footway parking and improved street scene, especially within available budget
- following feedback from shops, adjustments have been made to remove the temporary loading restriction on a small section of the road to enable deliveries
- from 15 October to 15 November 2025, residents shared their views on the proposals below through a survey and at 4 in-person events held at the Barrington Centre. They were asked to give their preferences on styles of street furniture. The results
have been published on Ferndown Town Council's website - following on from the public consultation, design work on the final scheme has been completed. This has incorporated as much feedback from the public consultation as possible
- the final scheme design can be seen below, or in person at Ferndown Town Council, the Barrington Centre in Ferndown, until 31 July 2026.
Design constraints
Underground services
Mapping surveys were undertaken to identify the location extent of underground services. The extensive network of underground utilities means it is not possible to plant trees directly into the ground.
Large mature trees
These are not suitable for planters and can pose a health and safety risk. Small ornamental trees and large shrubs are recommended for planters.
Boundaries between highway and private land
Only part of the footway is within our control. This means that there is limited space in which we can make improvements, but we are confident there is sufficient space to make this a vibrant and accessible area.
Visibility requirements
It is important that clear visibility is provided at junctions and private accesses for driver and pedestrian safety. This has informed the locations of street furniture and features so that the required visibility areas will be kept clear
Off road laybys
Significant consideration has been given to the introduction of off-road laybys for unloading and loading. Unfortunately, due to very high costs of utility diversions, it is not feasible to deliver these at this stage.
Improvements concept plan
This image is a birds-eye view illustration of Victoria Road in Ferndown. The road runs through the middle of the map, showing the full stretch from Penny’s Hill Junction at the south end to Albert Road at the north end. Familiar buildings are marked on either side to help viewers recognise the area. They also show where the street features and benches may be placed.
Key landmarks include:- library and car park, south of the pedestrian crossing
- post office and bank, north of the crossing
- 4 existing trees near the library, which will remain
- seating areas spaced along both sides of the road, with planters for greenery
- larger planters filled with small ornamental trees and plants to enhance the street
- footway level plant beds running adjacent to the road
- cycle rack locations, placed near benches and planters
- bollards along the kerb between the footway plant beds to protect pedestrians and prevent pavement parking
- cutout boxes showing examples of planters, plant beds, benches and bollards
- parking spaces on Princes Road
- an on-road loading bay outside the post office
- key symbols for features such as combined planter and seating areas, cycle parking and loading restrictions
Street scene visual mock-up
This image shows Victoria Road looking north from outside the bank. This picture is a mock-up of what the street could look like following the improvements.
These include:
- footway level plant beds with low-level planting
- bollards between the footway plant beds which are aligned with the edge of the road
- seating areas with planters spaced along the footway on both sides of the road
Improvements concept plan
This image is a birds-eye view illustration of Victoria Road in Ferndown. The road runs through the middle of the map, showing the full stretch from Penny’s Hill Junction at the south end to Albert Road at the north end. Familiar buildings are marked on either side to help viewers recognise the area. They also show where the street features and benches may be placed.
Key landmarks include:
- library and car park, south of the pedestrian crossing
- post office and bank, north of the crossing
- 4 existing trees near the library, which will remain
- 10 seating areas spaced evenly along both sides of the road, each with planters for greenery
- cutout boxes showing examples of planters, benches, flags and bollards
- 8 extra planters filled with shrubs and plants to enhance the street
- 7 cycle rack locations, placed near benches and planters
- bollards along the kerb to protect pedestrians and prevent pavement parking
- flag poles along the road to display seasonal images and messages. Creating a welcoming and vibrant “avenue” feel
- key symbols for features such as combined planter and seating areas, cycle parking and loading restrictions
Street scene visual mock-up
This image shows Victoria Road looking north from outside the bank. This picture is a mockup of what the street could look like following the improvements.
These include:
- bollards which are aligned with the edge of the footway
- flag poles which are holding flags with seasonal wording
- planters with integrated seating spaced along the footway
Street furniture examples
Modern style
- hardwood timber
- stainless steel
- realistic timber polymer material
A mood board showing different types of bins and bollards. They come in a mix of designs and materials. Some resemble wood, some are metal, and others are black plastic. The photos show how they might appear in streets or public spaces.
Eco style
- recycled rubber
- recycled plastic
Images of bins and bollards made from recycled materials. The designs range from sleek black finishes to striped bollards and recycling bins. They’re pictured in outdoor settings.
Heritage style
- cast iron
- galvanised steel
- cast aluminium construction
Examples of bins and bollards with a traditional look. Designs feature black finishes with gold detailing, including decorative bollards. Bins marked 'LITTER' in gold. Shapes range from cylindrical to square. The products are shown in classic street and pavement settings.
Planters and benches examples
Modern style
Eco style
Examples of benches and planters in different eco designs. Some benches are built into the planters, while others stand alone. The finishes have smooth, clean lines and wood-like textures. The planters are filled with greenery, from small shrubs to colourful flowers, and are shown in outdoor settings.
Heritage style
Proposed street furniture examples
The public consultation that was held in autumn 2025 showed a preference for heritage style street furniture. Subsequently, at a full town council meeting, Ferndown Town councillors selected a range of street furniture that reflected this style preferred by the residents of Ferndown.
Examples of the chosen street furniture include:
- modular seating and planter units, finished in black with gold detailing
- larger free-standing planters to house small ornamental trees, finished in black
- cast iron domed top bollards
- traditional style benches
- steel litter bin housings with gold writing
Heritage style street funiture choices
All planters will be finished in a black coating with gold detailing to match the rest of the street furniture and the heritage style chosen by residents. They will be free standing, with adjustable feet and integrated water retention systems.
Bins, seating and bollards
Combined planter and bench units
Tree and standalone planters
Parking changes
Parking was a key concern for residents raised at the consultation. As part of the updated plans, proposals have been developed to improve short-stay parking provision nearby.
This includes:
- introducing up to eight short stay parking spaces in two marked bays on Princes Road, helping to support local businesses by improving accessibility in the town centre
- introducing an on-road loading bay on Victoria Road
- introducing double yellow lines and loading restrictions to prevent obstruction of the road and accesses
- retaining the existing two taxi rank bays on Princes Road
In an effort to address inappropriate footway parking on Victoria Road quickly, a temporary traffic regulation order banning waiting and loading in the town centre was implemented in 2025. During the consultation, residents and businesses raised concerns about blue badge parking and loading requirements. As a result, the temporary waiting and loading restriction on Victoria Road will be reviewed.
These proposals will require changes to Traffic Regulation Orders (TRO). This is a statutory legal process and will be subject to a public consultation before any changes are confirmed. Further details, including how to comment, will be published on our website.
What happens next
Construction of the scheme is expected to start in autumn 2026 and will take less than 10 weeks to complete. During this time, Victoria Road will remain open and access to all shops will be maintained throughout the works.
The proposed parking changes may be implemented after the Victoria Road works due to the consultation and approval timescales related to the Traffic Regulation Order.