PLANNED improvements to a notorious junction near Upton Country Park have once again been delayed.

The junction off the A35 near Poole will see a range of improvements to make the area safer for motorists and walkers/cyclists alike.

Improvements were initially rescheduled for January 2025 to enable the completion of the gas network at Blandford Road North in Upton.

However, Dorset Council said they have identified an issue with securing consents for an electrical connection for new street lighting, which has delayed the works until sometime after January.

No specific date has been given for when the works will now take place.

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A Dorset Council spokesperson said: “We are working with Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council and SSE to resolve the issue so we can start our improvement works as soon as it is safe to do so and will provide an updated start date as soon as we can.

“Thank you for your patience.”

A reminder of the works

Work planned for the junction includes widening footways, creating a parallel crossing and reducing the speed limit to make the area safer for walkers and cyclists as well as improving safety for drivers.

Dorset Council said these works follow “a number of accidents” over the years.

Temporary traffic signals will be in place along with temporary restrictions with signed diversions.

The planned works for the junction Picture: Dorset Council

The work will include:

• Installation of a new parallel crossing for pedestrians and cyclists on the approach to Upton Country Park from Poole Road.
• Widening of footways from both the Upton and Creekmoor direction towards Upton Country Park. This will enable more space for walkers and wheelers (eg users of bicycles and mobility aids).
• Removal of the left turn lane and tightening of the junction Poole Road/A35 slip to reduce the risk of collisions.
• A speed limit reduction to 30mph from Upton Gateway roundabout and Poole Road, and to the Upton Country Park entrance. This will revert back to the national speed limit on the westbound slip road before the dual carriageway to enable a safe increase of speed for drivers approaching the A35. This speed limit reduction came into effect in August 2024.
• Maintenance of vegetation/verges to re-establish the full available width of existing footways and improve visibility for users. Ecological surveys have been undertaken, and careful maintenance and planting will ensure the habitats are left in a measurably better state, delivering a net gain for biodiversity. Overhanging branches have been cut back where necessary along the footway.

Upton Country Park will be open as usual:

• The westbound A35 off-slipway at Upton Country Park will be closed for the duration of the work. A signed diversion will be in place via the next junction (Upton roundabout).
• No access to Poole Road, Upton for motorists travelling from Creekmoor (Upton Gateway roundabout). There will be a signed diversion.
• The two bus stops on the westbound side of Poole Road will be unavailable during the work, with customers directed to nearby stops.
• There will be three nights of road closures towards the end of the work for resurfacing.

During the works:

• Motorists from Creekmoor will still be able to access both the A35 and Upton Road from the Upton Gateway roundabout.
• Motorists coming from Upton will still be able to access the Upton Bypass, Upton Country Park and Creekmoor from Poole Road.
• Upton Country Park will be open as usual.
• Walkers, cyclists and wheelers wishing to access Upton Country Park and beyond will be able to use the current footway/cycle path.