A section of the A4171 Stratford Road in Stroud will be closed this weekend to facilitate vital tree maintenance at Stratford Park. The closure will take place on Saturday and Sunday, 5 and 6 September, between 7am and 6pm, affecting approximately 150 metres of road stretching from the Tesco roundabout to the entrance roundabout of Stratford Park.
Stroud District Council has acknowledged that the closure will cause some disruption but has deliberately scheduled the works over the weekend to minimise impact on weekday traffic. Motorists are advised to plan their journeys carefully and allow extra travel time while the road is closed.
The closure is necessary to allow specialist contractors to safely carry out essential tree works on those overhanging the carriageway within the park, as well as to conduct detailed inspections of several significant trees. All planned works have received approval through the appropriate planning process, with particular consideration given to the trees' location within a conservation area.
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During the closure, vehicle access to Stratford Park, Active Lifestyles Stroud, and The Museum in the Park will remain available only from the Paganhill direction.
Angela Gillingham, head of community services for Stroud District Council, stated: “Stratford Park is home to some of the finest and most significant mature trees in the district. Regular inspections and maintenance are crucial to safeguard the long-term health of these trees and ensure the safety of both park visitors and road users.
“We understand that the temporary road closure may cause inconvenience, and we thank residents and motorists for their patience and understanding while these important works take place.”
Stratford Park, spanning 56 acres and managed by the council, boasts a collection of over 800 mature trees, rivalled only by its renowned neighbour, Westonbirt Arboretum. Some specimens are believed to have been acquired through a shared order with Westonbirt in the late 1890s. The park holds a prestigious Green Flag award and includes notable trees such as Cedar of Lebanon, Monkey Puzzle, Wellingtonia, and Indian Bean Tree.
These works aim to preserve this exceptional collection for future generations while maintaining the safety of all who use the park and surrounding roads.
Diversion signs will be clearly displayed, and the council encourages everyone to plan their journeys in advance to accommodate for the temporary disruption during the road closure period.