THE latest phase of work on the £2.7 million Poole Park Life project is due to get underway next week.

Work started at the Victorian park last month, when 33 trees were removed by special contractors.

Towards the end of the year 51 trees will be planted to make up for this, BCP Council has insisted.

However, from Monday (March 23) the main phase of the five-month programme is scheduled to start.

Councillor Felicity Rice, cabinet member for environment and climate change said: "These are the most significant works to take place in Poole Park for many years, with the project highlighting our commitment to protecting and enhancing our outstanding natural environment for future generations to enjoy.

"The access works are very much needed within the park and will be of benefit to all park users in the long-term. Whilst we recognise some disruption will occur during this programme of works, we are working with the contractor to ensure it will be kept to a minimum and we thank all park users for their patience during this time.”

During each stage of the works, the park will remain open with certain traffic restrictions in place which may include the closure of a vehicular entrance. This starts with the Seldown Lodge entrance near to the Dolphin Leisure Centre being closed to all vehicles from Tuesday, April 14 for up to seven weeks.

Local diversions will be in place and all park facilities will remain open throughout the works, accessed through the entrance on Parkstone Road near to the Civic Centre, or on Whitecliff Road.

The overall project includes:

n new crossing points for pedestrians

n removal of the park's roundabout and reducing the amount of tarmac surface.

n new lighting along Carriage Drive and from the cricket pavilion to Copse Close.

n installation of new drainage and resurfacing roads and paths.

n resurfacing the southern half of the cycle track and improving the drainage around the cricket pitch to the freshwater ponds.

n resurfacing access to the lodges.

n removal of some infrastructure such as metal knee-rails and opening up garden spaces for public use with new benches.

The four-year Poole Park Life project has already seen the restoration of the war memorial and maintenance work at the old swimming pool site at the end of Park Lake Road.

Most of the funding for the scheme has come from a successful Heritage Lottery Funding bid.