Paultons Park: Traffic plan ditched after improvements to site

The multi-award-winning Paultons Park says the decision follows talks with Hampshire County Council, careful monitoring of traffic throughout 2022, and improvements to the site.

Social media was awash with complaints about congestion during the summer of 2021.

Locals complained that people waiting to enter the attraction were causing gridlock in the area, with queues stretching across the Ower Roundabout and along the A3090 Romsey Road.

Paultons Park, home of Peppa Pig World, has carried out improvements to the car park entry and exit (Image: Paultons Park)

Early last year the 140-acre site, home of Peppa Pig World, unveiled plans for a roundabout on the A36 and a new entry road.

Speaking at the time managing director Richard Mancey described the traffic situation as unacceptable and said Paultons Park was working on a permanent solution.

But no application has been submitted to the New Forest National Park Authority (NPA).

READ MORE: Heavy delays building as traffic queues on roads near the award-winning Paultons Park

A Paultons spokesperson said: "After consultation with Hampshire Highways, careful monitoring of traffic throughout 2022, and improvements to the car park entrance and exit, Paultons Park have decided to put the project on hold for the foreseeable future."

Paultons Park, which opened on May 17 1983, has made Copythorne Parish Council aware of its decision.

The award-winning theme park is home to a large number of rides (Image: Paultons Park)

Parish clerk David Rigby said: "As a result of the traffic problems that occurred over the summer of 2021, following the relaxation of Covid restrictions and extensive roadworks on the A35 over the River Test at Redbridge, steps were taken by Paultons Park to improve entry.

"The changes resulted in improvements during the summer of 2022.

"The parish council hopes that traffic issues around the park will not be seen again this summer. It will continue to maintain a dialogue with the park's management."

READ MORE: Paultons Park unveils £2.5m to cut traffic congestion by building roundabout on A36

NPA members include Cllr David Harrison, who lives in nearby Totton.

He said: "I think visitors and local people recognise the difficulties caused by traffic congestion on approaches to this really popular theme park.

"It's always worth considering building a new road or changing the existing infrastructure, but the environmental harm can often be significant.

"It is also notoriously difficult to persuade board members on national parks that road construction will help protect and enhance the areas they are charged with looking after.

"I really hope the improvements to the car park and traffic management at the park will lessen the problem in the future."