Motorists are to face more than 25 weeks of disruption as a result of major changes being made to the road network around St Mary’s Roundabout in Newport.
Plans have finally been unveiled showing how one of the Island’s main arterial roads will look in the near future, with the biggest change being the introduction of a junction at the end of Forest Road. Additional lanes will also be created for traffic heading to and from Cowes with the widening of the carriageway.
The proposed scheme will be split into 8 phases of varying duration with a further phase possible if it is decided to install traffic lights on the approaches to St Mary’s Roundabout itself. It is understood work will begin before June.
During Cowes Week and the Isle of Wight Festival work will be scaled back to maximise capacity on the network for vehicle movements.
The work is being funded by the £9.5million awarded to the Isle of Wight Council last year and is no doubt connected with the Council’s vision of building on land at Camp Hill.
Although the St Mary’s scheme will take 25 weeks, further disruption is expected for the thousands of motorists and public transport users heading in and out of Newport each day. Island Echo understands that additional work is to be carried out on Coppins Bridge at a later date, which will include the widening of St George’s Way.
The plans for Parkhurst Road and Forest Road were shown to the public for the first time on Saturday during a Newport Traffic Forum.
