WORK to improve roads near Upton Country Park will start next month – lasting until November.

Wider footways, a parallel crossing and a reduced speed limit are to be introduced off the A35, near Poole.

Dorset Council said the works will “provide safer facilities for walking and cycling and improve safety for drivers, following a number of accidents in recent years”.

Getting underway on Monday, September 16, temporary traffic lights will be in place, while the country park will remain open as usual.

The westbound A35 off-slipway at Upton Country Park will be closed for the duration of the work, with a signed diversion in place via the next junction (Upton roundabout).

There will be no access to Poole Road, Upton, for motorists travelling from Creekmoor (Upton Gateway roundabout). There will be a signed diversion.

Two bus stops on the westbound side of Poole Road will be unavailable during the work, with customers directed to nearby stops.

And 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.

Walkers, cyclists and wheelers wishing to access Upton Country Park and beyond will be able to use the current footway/cycle path.

The current crossing will be improved during the work, which lasts until November. Picture: Dorset Council

Councillor Jon Andrews, cabinet member for place services at Dorset Council, said: “These improvements are vital for the safety and wellbeing of communities in the local area, so we thank everyone in advance for their patience during the works.

“We aim to keep disruption to a minimum but please plan ahead and allow extra time, particularly during the rush hour.

“Widening the footway in this busy area, reducing the speed for a short stretch of road and adding the new crossing will make the area more pleasant and safer for all.”

The roadworks off the A35 near Upton Country Park 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 (users of bicycles and mobility aids, for example).
• Removal of the left turn lane and tightening of the junction Poole Road/A35 slip to to reduce 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 safe increase of speed for drivers approaching the A35.
• 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.