COUNCIL bosses say 'access improvements' at Poole Park are almost complete – and that the wider £2.7 million project remains on target to be completed by next summer.

Work, taking place in phases, started on the revamp of the Victorian park in February this year, before the coronavirus pandemic emerged in earnest.

Despite restrictions imposed because of the virus, work on the entrances and roads across the park have been able to continue.

BCP Council portfolio holder for environment, cleansing and waste, Cllr Mark Anderson, said: "The Poole Park Life project is progressing well with the access improvements nearly complete.

"This makes the park more accessible for pedestrians while slowing down vehicles.

"We’re currently consulting on free outdoor gym equipment for a variety of abilities which will be installed next year, alongside the redesign and refurbishment of the two play areas.

“This project has been a huge undertaking for the park over the last three years and I’m pleased to say we are on target to complete it on time next summer.”

The overall project includes:

  • New crossing points for pedestrians
  • Removal of the park's roundabout and reducing the amount of tarmac surface.
  • New lighting along Carriage Drive and from the cricket pavilion to Copse Close.
  • Installation of new drainage and resurfacing roads and paths.
  • Resurfacing the southern half of the cycle track
  • Improving the drainage around the cricket pitch to the freshwater ponds.

In August the toilet block at the park was reopened following what the council described as an 'extensive refurbishment.'

Work to the facilities at the west gate began in February. However, the overhaul was delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The toilet block works were part of a separate £493,000 investment in public toilets in Poole that was signed off by councillors last summer.