WORKS to build a missing cycle link for Upton are due to start on Monday following a two month delay.

The scheme aims to provide improved cycle facilities along the B3067 Poole Road, between Upton Cross double mini-roundabout and Upton Country Park.

A number of cycle routes already converge at Upton Country Park, linking Upton to Poole, Hamworthy, Creekmoor and Corfe Mullen.

But there is a missing westbound link to Upton centre and beyond.

Phase one of the scheme - from Upton Cross to Factory Road - was completed in 2015.

And on Monday work will start on phase two - from Factory Road to the Poole Road/A35 slip road.

Overall it will take around 22 weeks for Dorset County Council complete the work, but it will be carried out in two stages with a break over the summer holidays.

The first nine weeks of work start on Monday and finish on Friday, July 21. Work will start again for 13 weeks on Monday, September 4 until Friday, December 1.

A spokesman for Dorset County Council said: “The scheme will increase the width of the footway along the southern side of Poole Road to create a shared use footway/cycleway.

“Due to the nature of the works, two-way temporary signals will be in place between 9am and 4pm on weekdays. Some Saturday working may be needed with working hours from 9am to 1pm.

“The temporary signals are being used out of peak times to try and reduce the disruption to traffic in the area.

“Access to driveways will be affected when we come to completing kerbing and surfacing work, our construction team will liaise with the properties directly affected to advise of access arrangements.

“Please feel free to approach the construction team if you have any questions or concerns.”

Work on the second phase of the scheme was originally due to start in March but was rescheduled after residents slammed the timing, which would have clashed with the ongoing bridge works on the A35.

Fuming motorists, already complaining of significant delays through the A35 lane restrictions, felt another roadworks scheme on a main route linking to the dual carriageway could have caused gridlock.

The final section of the scheme - from the Poole Road/A35 slip road junction to Upton Country Park - has not yet been scheduled.

But the council has said it hopes construction of this final section may be carried out in early 2018.

Purbeck District councillor Fred Drane, who represents the Upton ward, has been instrumental in ensuring the Poole Road cycleway leg gets completed. He said: “I know some people won’t be happy about the disruption but it’s great to see the cycleway finally getting finished.

“What I’m hoping is that the council will also link it to the Poole cycle lane on the A35 so more people can use it.”