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Motorists fume at grass-cutting jam
MOTORISTS were left fuming after being stuck in traffic on one of Bournemouth's busiest roads - because someone at the council decided it would be a good day to cut the grass and bushes in the central reservation.
With thousands of people heading for the opening day of the Bournemouth Air Festival or to the Great Dorset Steam Fair near Blandford, one lane of the Ringwood Road dual carriageway was closed in both directions between the Mountbatten Arms and Bear Cross roundabout.
The decision was attacked by drivers who became caught up in the huge tailbacks, which extended beyond Ferndown in one direction and along the Dorset Way in Poole in the other.
Chris Bayliss of Canford Heath, Poole, accused the council of "losing the plot".
He pointed out that the route also had direction signs to the temporary park-and-ride sites for air festival visitors.
David Gorman, whose journey from Poole to St Leonards took 90 minutes instead of the usual 20, said: "It beggars belief.
"There's the Ideal Home Exhibition, the air show and the steam fair going on.
"A lot of people were coming that way to avoid the steam fair traffic. Traffic was completely snarled up between the Mountbatten Arms and the Sainsbury's roundabout of the A31.
"Somebody's head should roll."
Mark Smith, Bournemouth's head of tourism services, said: "This was planned work in the morning to ensure a pleasant approach for visitors coming into Bournemouth for the Air Festival, which started at 2pm. There were lane closures, which were effectively compounded by several breakdowns on the same stretch of road.
"The next three days are expected to be the busiest of the Air Festival.
"Given the issues raised on this occasion, we will ensure that for future events these works are carried out in advance and not on the same day."
5:00am Friday 29th August 2008
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CommentPosted by: In Absentia, Bournemouth on 7:28pm Thu 28 Aug 08
The comments by Mr Smith are pathetic. Nobody with an ounce of common sense would schedule this type of work within 24 hours of a major event.
I suppose we're talking about a local authority though.......
The comments by Mr Smith are pathetic. Nobody with an ounce of common sense would schedule this type of work within 24 hours of a major event.
I suppose we're talking about a local authority though.......
Posted by: Sarah, Bournemouth on 7:59pm Thu 28 Aug 08
As I have already posted on the 'Air Show' story I can't believe they did it! Q: Why? A: "This was planned work in the morning to ensure a pleasant approach for visitors coming into Bournemouth for the Air Festival". The 'cosmetic' work should NOT have been carried out today! Yet another Council mess up. It would be interesting to see if any council members wish to comment further.
As I have already posted on the 'Air Show' story I can't believe they did it! Q: Why? A: "This was planned work in the morning to ensure a pleasant approach for visitors coming into Bournemouth for the Air Festival". The 'cosmetic' work should NOT have been carried out today! Yet another Council mess up. It would be interesting to see if any council members wish to comment further.
Posted by: Christopher, Wallisdown & Winton West on 8:21pm Thu 28 Aug 08
Mark Smith, no one from Council should have programmed this in to the schedule, or at least as the Tourism boss you should have stepped in and stopped it. The route is marked with P&R signs so it was obviously planned route. You state that the Air Display started at 2pm, as the head of tourism it would have been obvious that many would be arriving early to get parked, and take up their viewing positions after grabbing lunch etc. This is programmed as a day event.
Bad planning indeed. This sort of thing should have been done days ago.
Mark Smith, no one from Council should have programmed this in to the schedule, or at least as the Tourism boss you should have stepped in and stopped it. The route is marked with P&R signs so it was obviously planned route. You state that the Air Display started at 2pm, as the head of tourism it would have been obvious that many would be arriving early to get parked, and take up their viewing positions after grabbing lunch etc. This is programmed as a day event.
Bad planning indeed. This sort of thing should have been done days ago.
Posted by: alumchineboy, Alumchine on 9:43pm Thu 28 Aug 08
Yet again - something is done that ruins life for everyone locally for the sake of the bl**dy visitors..... roads are not tarmaced and footpaths fall apart (as in Westbournw and Alum Chine )but as long as the visitors are having a nice time then sod the locals.
Most of the top brass in the council have toutist related businesses so no doubt they dont give a toss about those that live round here as were not paying to stay in their hotels....saying that they do allow themselves to take our money in 'expences'
Yet again - something is done that ruins life for everyone locally for the sake of the bl**dy visitors..... roads are not tarmaced and footpaths fall apart (as in Westbournw and Alum Chine )but as long as the visitors are having a nice time then sod the locals.
Most of the top brass in the council have toutist related businesses so no doubt they dont give a toss about those that live round here as were not paying to stay in their hotels....saying that they do allow themselves to take our money in 'expences'
Posted by: beachhut, southbourne on 10:09pm Thu 28 Aug 08
To call out local authority a cohesive unit pulling in the same direction for for the overall good of the local populas is laughable. The very notion that this work was schedule as it was, would make me beleive that this authority would organise all the roads to have the white lines re painted the morning of the opening ceremony of the Olympics if held in Bournemouth. You can see why they are in local authority as they would be out of a job in the commercial world.
To call out local authority a cohesive unit pulling in the same direction for for the overall good of the local populas is laughable. The very notion that this work was schedule as it was, would make me beleive that this authority would organise all the roads to have the white lines re painted the morning of the opening ceremony of the Olympics if held in Bournemouth. You can see why they are in local authority as they would be out of a job in the commercial world.
Posted by: Carl Barron, Dorset on 10:17pm Thu 28 Aug 08
Posted by: Christopher, Wallisdown & Winton West on 8:21pm today
[bold]Quote[/bold] Bad planning indeed. This sort of thing should have been done days ago.
[bold]Reply[/bold] [italic]Oh come on[/italic] [bold]Christopher.[/bold]
You and I [italic]both know,[/italic] that if your not [bold]as thick as a plank[/bold] you don't get a [bold]decision[/bold] making job in the UK [italic]do you?[/italic] [bold]bold[/bold]
One must keep up [bold]traditions[/bold] Old Boy, [italic]mustn't we?[/italic] [bold]bold[/bold]
Posted by: Christopher, Wallisdown & Winton West on 8:21pm today
Quote Bad planning indeed. This sort of thing should have been done days ago.
Reply Oh come on Christopher.
You and I
both know, that if your not
as thick as a plank you don't get a
decision making job in the UK
do you?
One must keep up
traditions Old Boy,
mustn't we?
Posted by: Socialist, Moordown on 11:28pm Thu 28 Aug 08
Mark Smith, Bournemouth's head of tourism services, said: "This was planned work in the morning to ensure a pleasant approach for visitors coming into Bournemouth for the Air Festival, which started at 2pm. There were lane closures, which were effectively compounded by several breakdowns on the same stretch of road.
Mark...piece of advice.
You could have made the road look dead nice by doing all this yesterday or earlier on in the week.
OK?
Good.
Mark Smith, Bournemouth's head of tourism services, said: "This was planned work in the morning to ensure a pleasant approach for visitors coming into Bournemouth for the Air Festival, which started at 2pm. There were lane closures, which were effectively compounded by several breakdowns on the same stretch of road.
Mark...piece of advice.
You could have made the road look dead nice by doing all this yesterday or earlier on in the week.
OK?
Good.
Posted by: Socialist, Moordown on 11:29pm Thu 28 Aug 08
Mark Smith, Bournemouth's head of tourism services, said: "This was planned work in the morning to ensure a pleasant approach for visitors coming into Bournemouth for the Air Festival, which started at 2pm. There were lane closures, which were effectively compounded by several breakdowns on the same stretch of road.
Mark...piece of advice.
You could have made the road look dead nice by doing all this yesterday or earlier on in the week.
OK?
Good.
Mark Smith, Bournemouth's head of tourism services, said: "This was planned work in the morning to ensure a pleasant approach for visitors coming into Bournemouth for the Air Festival, which started at 2pm. There were lane closures, which were effectively compounded by several breakdowns on the same stretch of road.
Mark...piece of advice.
You could have made the road look dead nice by doing all this yesterday or earlier on in the week.
OK?
Good.
Posted by: mossly, christchurch on 6:36am Fri 29 Aug 08
Where was common sense used by the tourist board? Tourists visiting Bournemouth for the first time are going to be so impressed by the delays. I'm sure they will keep returning
Where was common sense used by the tourist board? Tourists visiting Bournemouth for the first time are going to be so impressed by the delays. I'm sure they will keep returning
Posted by: 2Much, New Forest on 7:31am Fri 29 Aug 08
[quote]"This was planned work in the morning to ensure a pleasant approach for visitors coming into Bournemouth for the Air Festival"[/quote] They were coming to see the planes, not the cut grass on the verges!
I'll bet there were no traffic police about either directing the poor old so & sos stuck in their cars either.
When are our authorities going to start actually thinking about "people"???
"This was planned work in the morning to ensure a pleasant approach for visitors coming into Bournemouth for the Air Festival"
They were coming to see the planes, not the cut grass on the verges!
I'll bet there were no traffic police about either directing the poor old so & sos stuck in their cars either.
When are our authorities going to start actually thinking about "people"???
Posted by: Poolemaninscotland, scotland on 7:53am Fri 29 Aug 08
Ha HaHa. I new this would happen
Ha HaHa. I new this would happen
Posted by: Muffin burner on 8:57am Fri 29 Aug 08
[quote][bold]Poolemaninscotland[/bold] wrote:
Ha HaHa. I new this would happen[/quote] At least we've got some great events to go to. You clearly don't, otherwise you'd be visiting them and not constantly on here slagging off an area hundreds of miles away.
The upside of your constant drivel is that it reminds everyone of how lucky we are down here that you're up there! Good riddance!
Poolemaninscotland wrote:
Ha HaHa. I new this would happen
At least we've got some great events to go to. You clearly don't, otherwise you'd be visiting them and not constantly on here slagging off an area hundreds of miles away.
The upside of your constant drivel is that it reminds everyone of how lucky we are down here that you're up there! Good riddance!
Posted by: sinbad, upton on 9:33am Fri 29 Aug 08
[quote][bold]Carl Barron[/bold] wrote:
Posted by: Christopher, Wallisdown & Winton West on 8:21pm today [bold]Quote[/bold] Bad planning indeed. This sort of thing should have been done days ago. [bold]Reply[/bold] [italic]Oh come on[/italic] [bold]Christopher.[/bold] You and I [italic]both know,[/italic] that if your not [bold]as thick as a plank[/bold] you don't get a [bold]decision[/bold] making job in the UK [italic]do you?[/italic] [bold]bold[/bold] One must keep up [bold]traditions[/bold] Old Boy, [italic]mustn't we?[/italic] [bold]bold[/bold] [/quote] Perhaps you are thick as a plank if you don't know the difference between your and you're?
Carl Barron wrote:
Posted by: Christopher, Wallisdown & Winton West on 8:21pm today Quote Bad planning indeed. This sort of thing should have been done days ago. Reply Oh come on Christopher. You and I both know, that if your not as thick as a plank you don't get a decision making job in the UK do you? One must keep up traditions Old Boy, mustn't we?
Perhaps you are thick as a plank if you don't know the difference between your and you're?
Posted by: Quakers, Poole on 9:41am Fri 29 Aug 08
You have to remember that Mr Smith was the only person in Bournemouth who thought the Friday night aggro was nothing to do with the fireworks and that tourists liked to see all the Police horses!! Dont look for logic where there is none otherwise we;ll all become smart ars*s and move to Scotland. But why would anyone want to do that? I'd rather sit in a traffic jam for in a week on the Spur Road.
You have to remember that Mr Smith was the only person in Bournemouth who thought the Friday night aggro was nothing to do with the fireworks and that tourists liked to see all the Police horses!! Dont look for logic where there is none otherwise we;ll all become smart ars*s and move to Scotland. But why would anyone want to do that? I'd rather sit in a traffic jam for in a week on the Spur Road.
Posted by: mar, poole on 10:45am Fri 29 Aug 08
Quaker, why are you having a go at Scotland?
What has Scotland got to do with the planners?
Have you ever been there, it is beautiful and much better than sitting in a traffic jam. What an idiotic thing to say.
Quaker, why are you having a go at Scotland?
What has Scotland got to do with the planners?
Have you ever been there, it is beautiful and much better than sitting in a traffic jam. What an idiotic thing to say.
Posted by: Christopher, Wallisdown & Winton West on 11:58am Fri 29 Aug 08
I do not think Quaker is having a go at Scotland mar. More than likely to the person himself. PoolemaninScotland has spent most of the week trying to ascertain ways that the Bournemouth Air Festival and the Dorset Steam Rally would be a big flop due to various matters such as traffic, parking, etc. So obviously this person has taken great delight in this story.
Sadly, there are people like that, sadly. No doubt he will find more over the next day or two. Let him get on with it, without comment.
I do not think Quaker is having a go at Scotland mar. More than likely to the person himself. PoolemaninScotland has spent most of the week trying to ascertain ways that the Bournemouth Air Festival and the Dorset Steam Rally would be a big flop due to various matters such as traffic, parking, etc. So obviously this person has taken great delight in this story.
Sadly, there are people like that, sadly. No doubt he will find more over the next day or two. Let him get on with it, without comment.
Posted by: Quakers, Poole on 12:22pm Fri 29 Aug 08
mar, Christopher is quite right. I get a bit wound up by people adding stupid comments when they do not live in Poole, although did at some point in the past, and rely on the Echo as a true reflection of what happening in the town. His "I told you so" attitude is pathetic. As if he knew the Council were going to cut the grass! However, we do share the view that it could have done better, but then so do most of the contributors. Sorry if it caused offence to genuine Scots.
mar, Christopher is quite right. I get a bit wound up by people adding stupid comments when they do not live in Poole, although did at some point in the past, and rely on the Echo as a true reflection of what happening in the town. His "I told you so" attitude is pathetic. As if he knew the Council were going to cut the grass! However, we do share the view that it could have done better, but then so do most of the contributors. Sorry if it caused offence to genuine Scots.
Posted by: snoff, Poole on 12:35pm Fri 29 Aug 08
[quote][bold]alumchineboy[/bold] wrote:
Yet again - something is done that ruins life for everyone locally for the sake of the bl**dy visitors..... roads are not tarmaced and footpaths fall apart (as in Westbournw and Alum Chine )but as long as the visitors are having a nice time then sod the locals. Most of the top brass in the council have toutist related businesses so no doubt they dont give a toss about those that live round here as were not paying to stay in their hotels....saying that they do allow themselves to take our money in 'expences'[/quote] You truly are a sad case. I think you will find there a great many locals who enjoy this sort of thing, not just tourists and by the way - you live in a tourist town you numbskull!!! get a grip.
alumchineboy wrote:
Yet again - something is done that ruins life for everyone locally for the sake of the bl**dy visitors..... roads are not tarmaced and footpaths fall apart (as in Westbournw and Alum Chine )but as long as the visitors are having a nice time then sod the locals. Most of the top brass in the council have toutist related businesses so no doubt they dont give a toss about those that live round here as were not paying to stay in their hotels....saying that they do allow themselves to take our money in 'expences'
You truly are a sad case. I think you will find there a great many locals who enjoy this sort of thing, not just tourists and by the way - you live in a tourist town you numbskull!!! get a grip.
Posted by: snoff, Poole on 1:07pm Fri 29 Aug 08
[quote][bold]Poolemaninscotland[/bold] wrote:
Ha HaHa. I new this would happen[/quote] yes, it has happened - you have written the saddest quote today on the echo website! congrats you sad, twisted loser!!!!!!!!!
Looks like rain again for the weekend up there you gimp!
Poolemaninscotland wrote:
Ha HaHa. I new this would happen
yes, it has happened - you have written the saddest quote today on the echo website! congrats you sad, twisted loser!!!!!!!!!
Looks like rain again for the weekend up there you gimp!
Posted by: Quakers, Poole on 1:22pm Fri 29 Aug 08
mar, Christopher is quite right. I get a bit wound up by people adding stupid comments when they do not live in Poole, although did at some point in the past, and rely on the Echo as a true reflection of what happening in the town. His "I told you so" attitude is pathetic. As if he knew the Council were going to cut the grass! However, we do share the view that it could have done better, but then so do most of the contributors. Sorry if it caused offence to genuine Scots.
mar, Christopher is quite right. I get a bit wound up by people adding stupid comments when they do not live in Poole, although did at some point in the past, and rely on the Echo as a true reflection of what happening in the town. His "I told you so" attitude is pathetic. As if he knew the Council were going to cut the grass! However, we do share the view that it could have done better, but then so do most of the contributors. Sorry if it caused offence to genuine Scots.
Posted by: Mark, Bournemouth on 1:26pm Fri 29 Aug 08
Having seen this exercise going on and being stuck in it, I had plenty of time to ponder when we will all stay in bed at home because of 'elf & safety.
A totally over the top workforce, including the obligatory works hi-vis jacketed man in a large car complete with flashing light driving quite pointlessly along the closed lanes at greater speed than any of us stuck in the open ones.
One individual with a decent mower could have carried out this job in the early daylight hours with absolutaly no need for any lane closures.
That is how this Country used to work - well, but never mind we are only the fools paying for this theatrical H & S nonsense.
Having seen this exercise going on and being stuck in it, I had plenty of time to ponder when we will all stay in bed at home because of 'elf & safety.
A totally over the top workforce, including the obligatory works hi-vis jacketed man in a large car complete with flashing light driving quite pointlessly along the closed lanes at greater speed than any of us stuck in the open ones.
One individual with a decent mower could have carried out this job in the early daylight hours with absolutaly no need for any lane closures.
That is how this Country used to work - well, but never mind we are only the fools paying for this theatrical H & S nonsense.
Posted by: p.satlast, bournemouth on 2:09pm Fri 29 Aug 08
Hampshire do their roadside work on the A31 overnight.Perhaps the Dorset Highways Dept.should get out more!!
Hampshire do their roadside work on the A31 overnight.Perhaps the Dorset Highways Dept.should get out more!!
Posted by: teenie, Poole on 4:42pm Fri 29 Aug 08
Lets hope Weymouth council don't do the same in 4 yrs time with the sailing events of the olympics!
Let's hope the traffic jams,dirty streets & no swimming pool is what the tourists will not remember of B'mth after they leave the Air Festival
Lets hope Weymouth council don't do the same in 4 yrs time with the sailing events of the olympics!
Let's hope the traffic jams,dirty streets & no swimming pool is what the tourists will not remember of B'mth after they leave the Air Festival
Posted by: Carl Barron, Dorset on 6:28pm Fri 29 Aug 08
Posted by: sinbad, upton on 9:33am today
[bold]Quote[/bold] Perhaps you are thick as a plank if you don't know the difference between your and you're?
[bold]Reply[/bold] And perhaps not [bold]sinbad.[/bold] [bold]bold[/bold]
For as your Alias Name [bold]suggests[/bold] , you do not have a good command of the [bold]English Language.[/bold]
[bold]Short cut[/bold] English is: You are = you're or like You aren't = you are not.
So, back to school with you [bold]sinbad[/bold] .
Posted by: sinbad, upton on 9:33am today
Quote Perhaps you are thick as a plank if you don't know the difference between your and you're?
Reply And perhaps not
sinbad.
For as your Alias Name
suggests , you do not have a good command of the
English Language.
Short cut English is: You are = you're or like You aren't = you are not.
So, back to school with you
sinbad .
Posted by: WIGGINS, BOURNEMOUTH on 7:40pm Fri 29 Aug 08
[quote][bold]Poolemaninscotland[/bold] wrote:
Ha HaHa. I new this would happen[/quote] It's the malchy for you wee man......
Poolemaninscotland wrote:
Ha HaHa. I new this would happen
It's the malchy for you wee man......
Posted by: rook, poole on 9:31pm Fri 29 Aug 08
FOR HEAVEN'S SAKE!!!!!
Didn't the organisers of the Air Festival, Dorset Show and Ideal Home not know they were cutting the grass that day?
They should research these things before they put on big tourist-attracting events such as these. The flippin' grass won't cut itself you know.
FOR HEAVEN'S SAKE!!!!!
Didn't the organisers of the Air Festival, Dorset Show and Ideal Home not know they were cutting the grass that day?
They should research these things before they put on big tourist-attracting events such as these. The flippin' grass won't cut itself you know.
Posted by: Sarah, Bournemouth on 10:56pm Fri 29 Aug 08
Maybe the council could have saved a few bob and asked one of those planes in the air show to crop spray the darn central reservation whilst out for a practice run - quick and easy with no road closures - just drivers with their car windows shut!
Maybe the council could have saved a few bob and asked one of those planes in the air show to crop spray the darn central reservation whilst out for a practice run - quick and easy with no road closures - just drivers with their car windows shut!
Posted by: dancingdog777, Christchurch on 10:59pm Fri 29 Aug 08
Congratulations Mark Smith! You have been awarded the status of full member of the BOT club.
(Bunch Of Tossers).
Congratulations Mark Smith! You have been awarded the status of full member of the BOT club.
(Bunch Of Tossers).
Posted by: dancingdog777, Christchurch on 11:00pm Fri 29 Aug 08
[quote]The flippin' grass won't cut itself you know.[/quote]
If they'd only spray it once a month with whisky, it would come up half cut already.
The flippin' grass won't cut itself you know.
If they'd only spray it once a month with whisky, it would come up half cut already.
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