COUNTY Hall traffic chiefs will decide today whether or not to press ahead with contentious cycleway works along Poole Road in Upton.

Dozens of motorists contacted the Daily Echo to complain about the timing of the 11-week project, which is scheduled to start later this month despite the ongoing Upton bypass roadworks continuing until the end of April.

Motorists, who are already reporting delays through the A35 lane closures, fear another set of roadworks on a key road linking onto the bypass will inevitably cause further problems.

Yesterday, in response to questions from the Daily Echo, Dorset County Council (DCC) project team leader Andrew Brown said: “In light of the response and concern raised by residents, we’re reviewing the project and its timings.We will be making a final decision tomorrow.”

Earlier, DCC Upton ward councillor Fred Drane said he supported the actual cycle lane work, which he had been working to secure locally for some time, but questioned the timing of the scheme.

Cllr Drane said: “The county council contacted me, because I was instrumental in getting the cycleway in from the Baker’s Arms all the way to the roundabout, and the roundabout to Factory Road. It stopped there because they didn’t have the full amount of money.

“Now they have come to us, at a very late stage, and said it has been organised for March 13.

“But I said the public is putting up with the current gridlock and bumper-to-bumper cars because they know the bridge in Poole and the bridges along the A35 need to be repaired.

“But the public will not see a cycleway as being absolutely necessary.”

Cllr Drane added that although he personally feels the cycleway is necessary, he agreed it is not something that needs to be completed right now.

He said: “I’ll be at a meeting tonight at the Environment Committee where we will be discussing the issue.”

Motorist James Prince described the timing of the cycleway works, March 13 until July 1, as showing “a complete lack of common sense and planning.”