Week 28. Access Improvement Update

After half term, week commencing 2nd November, the work to the Whitecliff road and Middle Gate car park junctions should be complete enough to allow the Whitecliff road to re-open. At the same time work will have progressed at East Gate entrance and will then require a closure there to allow the new kerbs and surfacing to be constructed. This will be the final phase of road closures as the scheme moves closer to completion.

Recently the contractors have completed the Purbeck stone paving at the War Memorial, completed areas of tarmac surfacing along the drive and started to construct the new road layout at Middle Gate car park, removing the roundabout in the process. The new layout will be much more sympathetic to pedestrians, with a reduced extent of tarmac to travel over and clear crossing points on continuous footways.

The area around East Gate Lodge is being significantly changed, with the old concrete paved path which took users towards the works yard access being changed to a straight run from the pavement to the front door. This will be laid to Purbeck stone paving and the beds either side stripped of tired, old bedding and replaced with turf and new shrubs. In addition the tall Sweet Gum tree (Liquidambar) is to be removed which is a real shame as it is a lovely tree, but unfortunately it was planted much too close to the building. A replacement tree of the same species is on order for planting on the opposite side of the road. A new path is being constructed to the side of the lodge to allow access to the plaque and inscription on the gable end of the Lodge with the original park dedication (see below).

Through November the surfacing works will be completed and work will move to the surrounding landscaping improvements in the garden spaces and installing furniture such as bollards, street lights and cycle stands. Thank you for your continued patience through these works.