Work by Island Roads to upgrade traffic signals and pedestrian crossings on and around Coppins Bridge is progressing well, but motorists are warned of further disruption towards the end of the month.
The scheme, which began in November last year, is currently in its penultimate phase which has just been completed in the main – a week ahead of schedule. As a result, there will be no daytime temporary traffic lights next week as the only required further works are for Wednesday and Thursday nightshifts only.
The final phase of the work commences on 21st February. This involves the upgrade of the 3 sets of signals at Fairlee Road/Fairlee Link Road, Staplers Road/Snooks Hill and Medina Way/Fairlee Link Road. These signals will be replaced by temporary lights during the phase (manually controlled at peak times) and there will also be a temporary pedestrian crossing on Fairlee Link Road.
The main impact on traffic will be the closure of Fairlee Road between Fairlee Link Road and the Staplers Road junction for the duration of work. Traffic entering Snooks Hill/Coppins Bridge from the Whippingham/Wootton/Ryde area will need to use the official diversion via Staplers. To assist traffic flows, the lights at the junction of Staplers/top of Snooks Hill will be turned off.
The Link Road will be open as usual for traffic wanting to enter the dual carriageway (towards Cowes and the West Wight) from the Whippingham/Wootton/ Ryde areas.
The official diversion for traffic leaving Coppins Bridge for the Whippingham/Wootton/Ryde areas will be via Staplers.
Under the project, all the signals on Coppins Bridge and its approaches will be upgraded to include the latest ‘intelligent technology’ to make them more reliable and energy efficient. The new models improve remote access enabling quicker responses to changes in traffic volumes and also faster fault reporting.
The work will also see all 5 pedestrian crossings in the area upgraded to incorporate the latest LED, low-energy technology.
The crossing at Link Road at its junction with Fairlee Road will be upgraded from a ‘Pelican’ to a ‘Puffin’ crossing which includes smart technology that automatically extends crossing times for slower pedestrians and does not halt traffic when nobody is using it. The remaining crossings, which are already Puffin crossings, have also been upgraded to run on a lower voltage to improve energy efficiency.
Scott Burborough, Island Roads powered apparatus manager said:
“This has been a long and complex project which represents a major upgrade to the signals and crossings in the area.
“While we have made every effort to keep disruption to a minimum throughout the work, we cannot get away from the fact that Coppins Bridge is the Island’s busiest road interchange and despite our best efforts, some delays to journey times have been inevitable.
“We are really grateful to road users and the local community for their understanding and co-operation which has helped us keep the overall project on schedule and indeed to finish the current phase ahead of schedule.”
Well i am out delivering every day and have not noticed anything different/improvement in them apart from total disruption and the traffic light poles are now black instead of grey which could have been painted instead of replaced!!
Intelligent traffic lights. Obviously our council were not be involved.
Patch repair a system that is not fit for purpose, good old IW council
They sound like a great waste of money and no improvement, and even longer waiting at the pedestrian crossings, which should be elevated or moved further along.
What a great time to tow floaty away, then we can have total gridlock, Wight Style. Sure Metcalfe can organise that before his departure.
Yeah right. Along with that brewery party? No chance.
they dont say if this will ease all the congestion on coppins bridge and Newport , consideration also should be given for for the construction of 1000 houses on the Camp hill prison site ,which could mean another 2000 cars heading for coppings Bridge ..
Coppins Bridge works best when the lights are turned off. They
Mmm. Upgrade when i went to school meant to improve things. Maybe i got that wrong.