Poole : Council slam after girl injured on new cycle lane

bournemouthecho.co.uk · Feb 26, 2026 · Collected from GDELT

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THE MP for Poole has slammed the council over newly laid cycle paths on Ringwood Road after a 13-year-old girl was "seriously injured". Neil Duncan-Jordan wrote to BCP Council on February 13, seeking clarification on the “inspection and oversight” processes that were in place. The letter follows reports from a constituent about a serious incident on the newly installed red cycle lane. According to Mr Duncan-Jordan, the young girl fell while cycling to school, sustaining facial and head injuries that required hospital assessment and treatment. Ringwood Road (Image: Google views) Although she avoided fractures, she has been advised to refrain from contact sports for several weeks and has been absent from school on medical advice. Mr Duncan-Jordan said: “The impact on her wellbeing has been considerable.” “The main concern here is that the condition of the recently laid red cycle surface was a significant factor in the incident. "I am advised that the surfacing material appeared loose in places, with chippings not fully bonded and debris visible beyond the cycle lane itself.” “The family believe this may have contributed both to the fall and to the severity of the abrasions sustained.” Mr Duncan-Jordan further added he has been informed that the matter was reported to the council via the appropriate channels on the day of the incident and marked as urgent. He said: “I understand that sweeping works were observed on this stretch of Ringwood Road later that evening and that warning signage relating to grit was installed shortly afterwards. "My constituent is concerned that these steps suggest the presence of an underlying issue with the surface condition.” He also highlighted that concerns about the quality of the surfacing had been raised before the incident, and that additional residents have since come forward questioning whether the material was properly laid and meets required safety standards. Mr Duncan-Jordan said: "These are the questions about the inspection, oversight and sign-off process for this scheme. “Our roads need to be safe for everyone who uses them.” "I've asked the council to confirm what quality checks were undertaken before the path opened - so we can aim to stop these types of incidents from happening again." In response, BCP Council said it acknowledges the formal complaint by Mr Duncan-Jordan and the team has instructed immediate precautionary action to sweep the cycle track and erect a warning sign. Councillor Andy Hadley, BCP Council cabinet member for climate response, environment and energy, said: “Our thoughts are with the young girl who came off her scooter on the Ringwood Road cycle path, and we wish her a full and speedy recovery. “We also acknowledge the receipt of formal complaint, as well as the correspondence we have received from Neil Duncan Jordan MP regarding this incident. “The incident was brought to the council’s attention out of hours and the team instructed immediate precautionary action to sweep the cycle track and erect a warning sign.”