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 Ringwood 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, 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 1.2km long section includes a new unsegregated cycleway.
Intelligence and communication
Data, information, evidence and research used and how it has influenced the decision-making process:
This is a list of the data and information used for the impact assessment
- HI1242 – S5-9 Ringwood Road Cycleway- General Arrangement Drawings
- Dorset Explorer / Google Maps
- Office of National Statistics
- Dorset Insight
- Sustrans: Inclusive City Cycling – Reducing the gender gap
- TCF consultation
- the design of the proposed scheme which is an unsegregated cycleway
- location of key destinations that may be used by people with protected characteristics
This is a list of important locations for this EqIA
- place of worship located on Ringwood Road with others located within Ferndown.
- health destinations in local area such as 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 of the scheme in Bear Cross, Bournemouth
- barriers to cycling for women
- Google Street View – evidence of cyclists on footway
Engagement or consultation that has taken place as part of this equality impact assessment EqIA
Engagement and consultation for the corridor was undertaken in Autumn 2020 with further engagement in spring 2021. The outcome of this engagement has helped to inform the design of the scheme.
Feedback
The scheme proposals will be communicated to the public for a construction start date of October 2021.
Assessment
Impacts of the strategy
| Impacts on who or what? | Effect | Details |
|---|---|---|
|
Age |
Positive |
Scheme: The scheme will provide a traffic free cycle route along Ringwood Road, Ferndown. 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 Ringwood Road to avoid using the carriageway. Evidenced on Google Street View which has captured an image of a cyclist on the footway. The increased width will reduce the risk of conflict. The provision of the cycleway as planned will provide significant benefits over the current situation, particularly for older people as surface levels and crossing points will be flush reducing risk of trips. The improvements at the Casterbridge junction will make crossing easier for pedestrians. Scheme Communication: Due to the current pandemic, consultation to date has been virtual. Those without access to internet need to be included so that they can feed into the proposals. Scheme communication will conform to accessibility requirements so that those using assistive technology may read them. |
|
Age bracket |
65+ and families with children |
Not applicable. |
|
Disability (including physical, mental, sensory and progressive conditions) |
Positive |
Scheme: The proposed improvements will improve accessibility for those with physical and some learning disabilities. Improvement to surface quality, path 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 scooters. 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 pedestrian flows are light, and the increased width will reduce the risk of conflict. Cyclists currently utilise the footway therefore this would be a betterment on the current situation. During construction, care will be taken to maintain a clear accessible walking/wheeling route. Scheme Communications: Due to the current pandemic, consultation to date has been virtual. Those without access to internet need to be included so that they can feed into the proposals. Scheme communication will conform to accessibility requirements so that those using assistive technology may read them. |
|
Gender reassignment and gender identity Race and ethnicity Sexual orientation Marriage or civil partnership Rural isolation 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 church located on Ringwood Road/Ham Lane, Longham Reformed Church. These proposals will improve walking and cycling access to the church. Care will be taken during construction to ensure access is maintained for services. |
|
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 group and potentially increase the number of cyclists in the area. |
|
Carers |
Positive |
The implementation of the new/improved crossing points will significantly improve accessibility for people with disabilities by providing safe places to cross the road. Both 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 regardless of their status. The proposals will significantly improve the current situation in this regard. |
|
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 Longham Community Pre-School from Ferndown which will positively impact families. |
|
|
Positive |
Scheme: This route section links areas of deprivation 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. Scheme Communications: Any communications will account for residents not having internet access offering alternative means of providing feedback. |
Key to impacts
Positive impact
The proposal eliminates discrimination, advances equality of opportunity and/or fosters good relations with protected groups.
Negative impact
Protected characteristic group(s) could be disadvantaged or discriminated against.
Neutral Impact
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(s) 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. |
Helen Littler |
October 2022 – 1-year post implementation |
|
Access to Longham Reformed Church/ Longham Community Pre-School during construction. |
Access to all properties will be maintained during construction with limited restrictions during construction of access points. Stakeholders will be kept informed during construction with ongoing updates and active management of traffic management measures. |
Joseph Rose / Ernst Lilley / Dorset Highways |
October 2021 – construction completion
|
Equality impact assessment sign off
Officer completing this EqIA
Helen Littler - 16 March 2021.
Equality Lead
Rebecca Forrester and signed off by Bridget Downton - 03 September 2021.
Equality and Diversity Action Group Chair
Rick Perry.