The northbound closure from the Lansdowne Roundabout to the Madeira Roundabout has been causing significant disruption for a local school, nearby student accommodation, and limited parking access for both staff and visitors.
The closure and ongoing roadworks began on 5th June 2025 and are set to last until 4th December 2026, affecting daily routines and causing growing concern among the community.
Katie Royal, Assistant Headteacher at Livingstone Academy said: “There has been a level of frustration for us.”
Katie Royal, Assistant headteacher (image credits: Ella Swinford)
“I was waiting for an urgent delivery and because it says that the road is closed, they refused to deliver, so it felt like I had to chase DPD round Dorset to get my vital overnight delivery.”
The school is now taking extra precautions to ensure students are staying safe amidst the disruption, which occurs directly across their secondary entrance and during peak school drop-off and pick-up times.
“We are having to carefully educate the children about using the appropriate ways to get in.”
To reduce risk, the school has introduced a new policy where a group of staff members now escort students to reception to establish clear and consistent road safety habits.
Staff members and parents are having to explore alternative methods of transport, such as walking or using e-scooters, to access the school grounds safely and efficiently.
The situation has further affected visitors to the school, as there are currently no spare parking spaces available, and access to the school’s main entrance—situated on school property—has become increasingly difficult.
School leaders and parents continue to call for better communication and temporary access solutions while the roadworks remain in place for the foreseeable future.
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