A ROAD leading to the Wimborne Town FC grounds has been closed just days before the club’s “biggest game in 30 years”.

Dorset Council has placed bollards that are blocking motorists from travelling through Parmiter Drive to access the football grounds in Ainsley Road.

Staff at Wimborne Town FC (WTFC) say this has created ‘complications’ as the club prepares to face Torquay United in the FA Cup at New Cuthbury on Saturday afternoon.

The more than 1,500 fans who are expected to attend the match will need to take alternative routes. 

The council has long planned to close Parmiter Drive as part of a development in the area, however, the club's general manager Jimmy Glass did not expect it to happen so soon. 

He said: "The road was closed on Monday. We didn’t know it was happening. We’re a little bit disappointed about the lack of communication.

Dorset Echo: Parmiter Drive has now been closed to motoristsParmiter Drive has now been closed to motorists (Image: Google Maps)

“This is the biggest game we’ve had in years. It’s a massive match for us – the football club is growing. We’re expecting crowds in excess of 1,500.

“It’s just made it a bit more complicated.”

Jimmy added that the issue had been raised with the council and that they were “looking into it”.

He said: “We hope it can get resolved for the weekend.”

Cllr Ray Bryan, Dorset Council’s portfolio holder for highways, travel and environment, said: “Restricting vehicle access at Parmiter Drive as part of recent development in the area was planned a long time ago - certainly before Wimborne Town FC began this season’s run in the Emirates FA Cup – but we accept the timing of the installation of the bollards is inconvenient.

“We have discussed the matter with Dorset Police and agreed that, while the bollards will remain in place during the game, there will be a duty officer available who can remove them in the event of an emergency.

“Fans can still walk to the ground via Parmiter Drive, while those driving should now use Lonsdale Road via Quarter Jack Park instead.

"We wish Wimborne the best of luck this weekend – Up the Magpies."

Planned roadworks are also scheduled to take place nearby in Leigh Road on matchday, seeing fans faced with even more disruption.

Bournemouth Water is carrying out works there between September 13 and 18, while Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSE) is working there between September 14 and 18. 

Two-way traffic signals will be in place at the location. A Bournemouth Water spokesperson said: "Every effort will be made to complete the work as soon as possible and we thank residents and drivers for their understanding.”