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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 working with Ferndown Town Council and Litter Free Dorset to develop options 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    .
 

Design constraints

Some design constraints are:

Presence of underground utilities (cables and pipework)

This means:
  • extensive mapping surveys were undertaken to identify the locations of underground services
  • the extensive network of utilities means it is not possible to plant trees directly into the ground
  • significant consideration was given to the introduction of off-road laybys for unloading / loading. Unfortunately, due to high costs of utility diversions it is not feasible to deliver these at this stage

Boundaries between Dorset highway and private land

Not all of the footway is within our control, meaning that there is more limited space in which we can make improvements, but with creativity we will be able to make this a vibrant and accessible area.

Planters

Shrubs (with some pruning required) and plants are recommended for the planters. We can’t put trees in the planters. This is due to the small volume of soil which is not sufficient for a tree over a length of time. Additionally, there is risk that as the tree matures the canopy encroaches into the footway and reducing space. There is also a risk of the tree toppling over in the planter causing a health and safety issue. 

Visibility requirements

This means:
  • it is important that clear visibility is provided at junctions and private accesses for driver and pedestrian safety
  • the project has been designed to ensure that required visibility areas are kept clear. This has informed the locations of street furniture and features

Other design constraints

Other design constraints include:
  • space needed for market stalls and pedestrian movement
  • new planters with benches and appropriate/suitable planting for the environment to enhance the street scene. See the images of the concept plan and 3D street scenes
  • to prevent inappropriate footway parking, the introduction of bollards along the footway edge will make a welcoming car-free area
  • replacement of street features (bins, bollards, cycle parking) in a co-ordinated style that complements the new planters and benches
  • installation of flag poles, aligned with bollards, to hold a range of seasonal flags to create a welcoming town centre atmosphere
  • accessibility around the pedestrian crossing, bus lay-bys and private accesses will remain
  • formalising a traffic regulation order to prevent inappropriate parking along Victoria Road
  • new planters with benches and appropriate/suitable planting for the environment to enhance the street scene. See the images of the concept plan and 3D street scenes
  • to prevent inappropriate footway parking, the introduction of bollards along the footway edge will make a welcoming car-free area
  • replacement of street features (bins, bollards, cycle parking) in a co-ordinated style that complements the new planters and benches
  • installation of flag poles, aligned with bollards, to hold a range of seasonal flags to create a welcoming town centre atmosphere
  • accessibility around the pedestrian crossing, bus lay-bys and private accesses will remain
  • formalising a traffic regulation order to prevent inappropriate parking along Victoria Road

Design constraints

Mapping surveys were undertaken to identify the location extent of underground services.

Underground services

The extensive network of underground utilities means it is not possible to plant trees directly into the ground.

Semi mature and mature trees

These are not suitable for planters and can pose a health and safety risk. Large shrubs and plants are recommended for planters.

Boundaries between highway and private land

Only part of the footway is within Dorset Council’s 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 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

Concept plan map illustration of Victoria Road in Ferndown.

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
The map shows:
  • 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
View larger image.

Street scene visual mock-up

3D street view of Victoria Road in Ferndown

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

Products made from different materials, including:
  • 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

Products made from different recycled materials, including:
  • 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

Products made from different materials, including:
  • 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

Modern style planters and benches
A mood board of modern benches and planters. The designs use materials like wood and metal, with clean lines and geometric shapes. Some benches include built-in planters filled with grasses and flowers. The images show how these could look in parks or other public spaces.

Eco style

Eco style planters and benches

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

Heritage style planters and benches
Images of benches and planters in a range of traditional designs. The benches have wooden slats and decorative metal frames. The planters come in different shapes and include details like gold trim or plaques. They’re shown with flowers and greenery in public spaces.

What happens next

More detailed plans will be drawn up as a result of the public engagement conducted in October 2025 and agreed between Dorset and Ferndown Town councillors. They will decide which options to progress and what changes to include in the next design stages.

Construction plans will be produced and materials purchased. We aim to have the improvements installed in spring 2026.

Highway Improvements Team

Email: highwayimprovements@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk
Tel: 01305 221020
Full contact details