DORSET Council has announced it has postponed junction safety improvement works near Upton Country Park.

These were initially rescheduled for January 2025 to enable SGN to complete their work on the gas network at Blandford Road North in Upton.

During ongoing preparations, the council has identified an issue with securing consents for an electrical connection for new street lighting. This means it will not be able to start junction work in January 2025.

A statement says: "We understand this delay will be disappointing for many, including our own construction team. We remain committed to enhancing this area with minimal disruption and thank you for your patience and understanding."

"We are working with BCP 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 upgrade

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

This will provide safer facilities for walking and cycling and improve safety for drivers, following a number of accidents in recent years.

Dorset Council will carry out the work. To protect the workforce and minimise congestion throughout the roadworks, temporary traffic signals will be in place along with temporary restrictions with signed diversions. 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 west bound 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. 

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 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 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. 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.

See the general arrangement design drawing.

"We understand this delay will be disappointing for many, including our own construction team. We remain committed to enhancing this area with minimal disruption and thank you for your patience and understanding."