Connecting Christchurch

Published 16 December 2024. Last updated 10 April 2026.

The Project

The overall aim of the Connecting Christchurch project is to improve access to urban green spaces, with its key focus on improving the health and wellbeing of older and chronically ill people and their carers, in and around Christchurch.

BCP Council and Christchurch Town Council are working together on the Connecting Christchurch project, along with key stakeholders including the Friends of Druitt Gardens, Public Health Dorset and Health Sciences University.

The project demonstrates Christchurch Town Council’s and BCP Council’s recognition of green spaces being good for people’s health and wellbeing, supported by BCP Council’s vision and corporate strategy emphasising the importance of people, place and environment.

The project uses strategic Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) funding that originated from the legacy Christchurch Borough Council and was retained by BCP Council for spending specifically in Christchurch.

April 2026 update

Over the winter, some improvements have been made to highway areas including new crossing points at the Wick Lane/St Margaret’s Avenue junction.

Enhancements have been made to the footpath links between the Wick Lane car park and Creedy Path, and adjustments where Creedy Path joins Wick Lane, making this safer for pedestrians, wheelchair users and cyclists.

Two new accessible seats have been installed in Druitt Gardens and the Friends of Druitt Gardens are adding new sensory plants during the spring.

A new carved wildlife feature has been made by Groves Sculpture and will be installed in Druitt Gardens during late April-May. We are also planning to design and install new signage and interpretation along the route over the summer and autumn.

Creedy Path improvements at Wick Lane

A new accessible seat at Druitt Gardens

A new wooden sculpture designed for Druitt Gardens

November 2025 update

Spring flowering bulbs have been added to the new planting area on the corner of the Quomps.

We are aiming to install two new accessible seats in Druitt Gardens and replace the four seats along the main path through Barrack Road Recreation Ground during spring 2026.

A sculptor has been appointed to produce a new carved timber feature in Druitt Gardens, near the Sopers Lane entrance. This is currently being designed and due to be installed during spring-summer 2026. It will incorporate wildlife that is important in Druitt Gardens such as the tawny owl.

We have been working with the BCP Council highways team on a series of small-scale improvements to the paths along the route including – path repairs; enhancements at path junctions where there could be conflict between different users; addition of tactile paving; improvements to road crossing points and regrading in small areas to improve access for wheelchairs. It is hoped these works will be carried out during 2026.

During October, Christchurch Community Partnership and BCP Council’s Age Friendly Network held an event at Twynham School about aging well, connection and community – ElderFest. Here, we spoke to residents and helped them complete questionnaires about what they value in local greenspaces and how they could be improved. This information is helping to inform the Connecting Christchurch project.

September 2025 update

The existing seats within The Quomps, Druitt Gardens and New Zealand Gardens were refurbished during the summer, with hardstandings added to the side of some of the seats for wheelchairs or pushchairs.

We have been engaging with local groups including the Christchurch Access Group and DOTs Disability to look at how the route can be improved for older and Disabled people.

Over the next few months, we are looking to replace the four seats along the main path through Barrack Road Recreation Ground with new, more accessible ones including armrests.

We are also looking to add a few more seats within Druitt Gardens, as well as a second sculpture to complement the large timber acorn that is already there.

April 2025 update

Three picnic tables have been installed along the Connecting Christchurch route – two at The Quomps near the splash park and one at Barrack Road Recreation Ground by the playground. They are fixed to paving slab bases so they can be accessed more easily by wheelchairs and pushchairs.

These picnic tables were funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, and this grant came via BCP Council.

The large area at the corner of Whitehall and Wick Lane has been planted with a mixture of perennials for colour and scent, improving the biodiversity value and appearance of this important approach to The Quomps.

March 2025 update

During March three picnic tables will be installed along the Connecting Christchurch route – two at The Quomps near the splash park and one at Barrack Road Recreation Ground by the playground. They will be fixed to paving slab bases so they can be accessed more easily by wheelchairs and pushchairs.

These picnic tables are being funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, and this grant came via BCP Council.

During March-April, the large area at the corner of Whitehall and Wick Lane will be planted with a mixture of perennials for colour and scent, to improve the biodiversity value and appearance of this important approach to The Quomps.

The route

Utilising and improving existing paths, an accessible trail will be created linking the Quomps, with Druitt Gardens and into Barrack Road Recreation Ground, with connections to the High Street and to key heritage areas. Improved seating along this route will be provided, along with accessible signage, interpretation, entrance features and new planting to improve the biodiversity value and enhance the user experience.

As the project detail develops, the intension is to further engage with and involve the target population and local community groups in Christchurch, to ensure the scheme meets their needs.

Tuckers Field Landscape Improvements 2023

Support for the project is evidenced by consultation responses to the Christchurch Neighbourhood Plan (2022-2023) and confirmed through Christchurch Town Council’s official processes.