TRAFFIC congestion outside the entrance to Paultons Park has sparked criticism of its decision to shelve a £2.5m road improvement plan.
Tailbacks built up on the A36 and other routes surrounding the award-winning theme park on Thursday following a temporary improvement in the weather.
At one point the traffic information service ROMANSE was reporting 15-minute delays in the area.
It comes just weeks after it emerged that plans for a roundabout on the A36 and a new entry road had been shelved.
Paultons Park - home of Peppa Pig World - said the decision followed talks with Hampshire County Council, careful monitoring of traffic throughout 2022, and improvements to the site.
READ MORE: Paultons Park shelves £2.5m road scheme after making improvements to site
Thursday's problem is thought to have been caused by parents making the most of the sunshine and giving their children an Easter holiday treat.
Pauline Henry said her elderly parents lived near the 140-acre attraction and were left feeling "like prisoners in their own home".
Mrs Henry, 57, of Millbrook, added: "Traffic started backing up again and it's not even summer. If it's like this now what's it going to be like later in the year?
"All they've got is one long lane that goes up to a huge car park. They should have gone ahead with their plans."
A Test Valley borough councillor who was caught up in the delays said the congestion was "reminiscent" of the issues that occurred in 2021.
Cllr Nick Adams-King said: "The enormous problems with traffic queues getting into the park were alleviated last year by a much better arrangement for parking management within Paultons itself.
"I hope Thursday's issues were a one-off and the improved traffic management from last year can be resumed by the park."
READ MORE: Boris Johnson praises Peppa Pig World at Paultons Park
In a statement Paultons Park said: "There was a small build-up of traffic around the entrance to the park for a short period at opening time.
"Guests had perhaps delayed their arrival due to the early inclement weather forecast.
"The queue was cleared quickly and efficiently, with free-flowing traffic in operation by 11.15am."
Copythorne Parish Council has been informed of the theme park's decision to shelve the road improvement scheme.
Parish clerk David Rigby said: "The 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."
The family-run attraction is preparing to celebrate its 40th anniversary.
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