Newport’s Medina Way, which was once upon a time known as the Newport Eastern Relief Road, first opened to traffic on 21st May 1975 – 50 years ago today.
The new dual carriageway – which remains the Isle of Wight’s only one – linked Coppins Bridge roundabout with a new roundabout near St Mary’s Hospital, which, of course, has since been replaced with a large junction. Its total cost came to £1.2million – that’s over £9.1million in today’s money.
Medina Way – then the largest single project undertaken by the County Council – opened 6 months behind schedule. The white tape was cut by Council Chairman Rear-Admiral J L Blackman, who forecast substantial relief for the residents of Hunnyhill and a big reduction in congestion in the heart of the Island’s County Town.
Plans for a relief road had first been formulated in 1949. By 1966 – the year the Ryde to Cowes railway had closed – Hunnyhill was carrying 13,000 vehicles a day. By 1974, this figure had grown to 18,000 a day. However, the volume of traffic was still greater at Coppins Bridge – 22,000 vehicles a day, or 6 million a year.
A proposed road from Coppins Bridge to Parkhurst Road was first shown on the Newport Town Map in December 1959. The closure of the Ryde-Newport-Cowes railway line then made a detailed new route plan possible for the A3020 (Cowes-Shanklin).
A preliminary report on the project was submitted in 1967. The design of the relief road was prepared by E W H Gifford and Partners in association with R W Rose. The building contract was awarded to Reed and Mallik in 1972.
A further South-Eastern relief road was planned, which is now what is known as St George’s Way.
And 50 years later NO ONE STICKS TO THE SPEED LIMIT!!
It would be great if the Police permanently kept a
speed camera van on the Dual Carriageway to STOP
Numpty’s speeding.
What annoys me is the motorists who warn people
that there is a speed camera ahead.
I Experienced this yesterday when driving towards
Yaverland a lady in a vehicle was flashing her headlights
to let other motorists know, that is defeating the object.
THEY SHOULD ALSO BE FINED AND GIVEN POINTS!
“WE NEED TO STOP MOTORISTS SPEEDING, NOT
ENCOURAGING THEM TO SPEED”
“And 50 years later NO ONE STICKS TO THE SPEED LIMIT!!”
it is very rare that it is actually possible to get anywhere near the (70mph) speed limit on the Dual Carriageway. Usually there are one or more people who have no idea about the highway code rules on using a dual carriageway and sit in the outside lane (often starting on copins bridge, before they even get on to the dual carriageway) doing 30mph (or sometimes even less) because they are going to Dodnor, or the Hospital.
“motorists who warn people that there is a speed camera ahead”
Although technically, this may not be legal, (I’m not sure exactly what law or regulation it would be breaking to do so) it does have the desire effect, of making people slow down… Which is supposed to be the purpose of Speed Cameras…(Not to make money, but to encourage people to slow down)
Heavy fines, points and the removal of
driving licences is the only way to make
motorists stop speeding.
Everyday I see vehicles speeding erratically
on our roads (what’s the rush).
Making money in fines etc will help pay towards
the speed Camera’s the Island desperately needs.
Three cheers for the lady of Yaverland! I will always do the same. Proud to be a Numpty!!!!
So it’s official there are Numpty’s living in
Yaverland (I thought better of Yaverland)
Lol
Obviously the Numpty VW Transporter lady
driver as never lost anyway to a road traffic accident,
maybe one day she will understand speeding kills
innocent people!
It hasn’t really been a Dual Carrigeway for the last 20 years or so. Ever since B&Q opened beside the St Mary’s intersection it has been a slow lane to Cowes and Newport Road, and a filter lane for B&Q and Dodner. It’s not often people are able to sit at the national speed limit in the fast lane as ‘old Dave’ is doing 38 mph on his way to purchase paint.
Coming southbound – the changes to the Coppins Bridge lanes necessitating Town Centre, Sandown and Southbound traffic to take the right hand lane has stopped it being a Dual Carrigeway – Especially with the need to cut immediately to the ‘fast’ lane for all non-Ryde bound traffic coming on at the Wakes Business Park slip road.
Won’t be long before Isle of Wight youngsters have to go to Portsmouth for Driving Lessons and Tests.
“it has been a slow lane to Cowes and Newport Road, and a filter lane for B&Q and Dodner”
Technically, it’s not a filter lane, until marked as such, which is just before the 40mph zone at the top.
before that it is a dual carriageway & you shouldn’t be in the outside lane unless you are overtaking. (or to be more technically correct, you should move to the left lane unless you are overtaking, or once you have overtaken.)
Might be a good idea for island youngsters to take
lessons and tests in Portsmouth, at least that way
they will understand 20mph speed limits.
Lol
That was the opportunity to create a badly needed ring road around Newport. Instead we got a bypass that doesn’t bypass. So half arsed. So Isle of Wight.
Bit like the Ferries and Floating Bridge etc etc
90% of the island doesn’t know it’s a dual carriageway and potter up the right hand lane at 30mph. Presumably on route to island mobilty.
Try driving along the dual carriageway at
the correct speed, it is tailgating paradise
Road Hogs love it.