Roadworks near Upton Country Park delayed to January 2026 to avoid summer event disruptions and minimize traffic issues.
Council staff talked with Upton staff and looked for the best new start time that impacts the park’s activities the least. The council wants enough time for the improvements and also wants to avoid events planned this spring to autumn.
This is the second delay for these roadworks; Previously, SGN had work on Blandford Road North, and they needed extra time due to some electric connection issues. The council didn’t want more traffic problems.
The council knows this is frustrating news because the SGN work caused an earlier delay. However, the new schedule avoids the park’s busy events, and they can then finish things before next spring.
The planned work stays the same. They will widen pavements, and a new parallel crossing is coming. Crews will resurface the road for three nights, and the left turn lane will be removed too.
They will tighten the Poole Road junction, including the A35 slip road area, hoping to reduce the chance of accidents.
Once the work starts, expect closures; the westbound A35 off-slip will close. The roadworks should take two months, and the speed limit has already changed though.
The speed reduced from 40mph to 30mph back in August. This affects the area from Upton Gateway roundabout and also includes Poole Road toward the park. The council says this work helps residents, aiming for a safer, pleasant area for everyone, and Upton Park stays open when they work in 2026.