A section of the A4171 Stratford Road in Stroud will be closed this weekend to accommodate crucial tree maintenance within Stratford Park. The closure will affect approximately 150 metres of the road from the Tesco roundabout to the park entrance roundabout, operating from 7am to 6pm on Saturday and Sunday, 5 and 6 September.
The temporary closure is required to allow specialist contractors to safely carry out essential works on trees overhanging the carriageway, as well as to conduct detailed inspections of several significant trees within the park. These trees, located within a conservation area, have been assessed and the planned maintenance has received approval through the local planning process.
Stroud District Council acknowledged the inconvenience caused by the closure and has scheduled the works over the weekend to minimise disruption to weekday commuters. Motorists are advised to plan their journeys accordingly and anticipate additional travel time during the closure period. Diversion signs will be prominently displayed to guide traffic around the affected area.
Access to Stratford Park, Active Lifestyles Stroud, and The Museum in the Park will remain available exclusively from the Paganhill direction during this time.
Angela Gillingham, head of community services at Stroud District Council, explained, “Stratford Park is home to some of the district’s finest and most mature trees. Regular inspections and maintenance are vital to ensure these trees’ health and the safety of both park visitors and road users. We appreciate residents’ and motorists’ patience while these important works are carried out.”
Stratford Park, a 56-acre green space managed by the council, boasts one of the region’s finest collections of mature trees, rivalling the neighbouring Westonbirt Arboretum. The park features over 800 trees, including notable species such as Cedar of Lebanon, Monkey Puzzle, Wellingtonia, and Indian Bean Tree. The maintenance efforts aim to safeguard this valuable collection for future generations while ensuring public safety.
Residents and drivers are urged to plan ahead and allow extra travel time during the weekend closure as the council completes these essential tree works.