Mixed feedback from the public has been given over proposed traffic restrictions and speed limits for the forthcoming new Isle of Wight football ground.
The changes to the highway orders are set to be approved for busy roads in Whippingham around where the new stadium will be built. The authority received 19 representations over the proposed speed changes, 10 supportive but 9 against.
The decision has now been delayed until 18th May as certain documents were not available for consideration.
They are part of the plans for the proposed new home of Newport FC and would reduce motorists’ speed to 40mph near the site’s proposed entrance and exit. Currently, the stretches of Whippingham Road and Racecourse leading up to the roundabout are 50mph.
Other proposals would ensure safe entrance and exit to and from the football ground. For example, if going into the site, you would only be able to turn left, coming from the roundabout. Leaving the football ground, you would only be able to turn left, sending all traffic to the Racecourse roundabout.
Concerns were raised in a public consultation about ensuring people would follow the restrictions.
Many comments suggested traffic should instead use East Cowes Road to get to the site — a bit like Isle of Wight Festival camping traffic — which would remove traffic from the roundabout, improve traffic flow and reduce risk.
Another said potential traffic lights should be installed at the top of the hill by the bus stops. They said it would be ludicrous not to have one, as many people would be crossing the road to reach the bus stop heading back to Newport.
1 resident said lowering the speed limit would not stop accidents and ‘having the entrance there would if anything cause more accidents.’
In support, 1 said the changes may cause some disruption but the long-term gain far outweighs the problems. Another said it would increase public safety and any drop in the speed limit was good.
Cllr Phil Jordan, the cabinet member for infrastructure and transport, is set to make the decision later this month and could agree, refuse or amend the proposals.
Why impose a speed restriction now when it is not even certain that any Football Ground will be built there in the future ? If and when any development is undertaken there, that is the time to consider any speed restriction or how best to manage the traffic flow in and out of the site. Cart before the horse comes to mind. If any development was undertaken on the site, it seems a bit strange to permit traffic out of the site straight into moving traffic on Racecourse – at whatever speed limit is in operation at the time.
I couldn’t agree more. They should use the east cowes road for incoming and outgoing traffic. That is the most sensible option and less risk, less accidents, less disruption or open up the east cowes road back on to racecourse like it was years ago
Oh, god forbid, all the complaints from the house owners that have just seen the value of their houses drop by 50%… Not going to happen, but the best option.
Bring the exit/entrance to the ground to the Whippiingham roundabout and there will be no need for speed restrictions.
Another unnecessary speed restriction, designed to congest the main artery between Ryde & Newport even more than it is now! Why is this even being considered?
Its crazy. The sensible option is to move the site access to the Whippingham road and minimize the disruption on an already over crowded and congested road
It’s an area with bus stops though and pedestrian traffic.
Difference in mortality between 30mph and 40mph is not linear but rather exponential – at former you have 20% chance of being killed, at latter you have 90% (sic!) chance of death.
I’d prefer the first odds when crossing the street.
And yeah, there are parts with pavement but… older population of IOW is not exactly know for sticking to the roads or avoiding flips onto roofs with their SUVs 😉
Will the smack/snort/swill drivers obey the speed limit what ever it is, just like they defy the speed limit where ever it is?
It’s a great location for the ground but like others I don’t understand why access isn’t from Whippingham.
However…..
Newport Isle of Wight FC are not Manchester United, not even Newport County.
With gates of a couple of hundred and matches being played perhaps once a week on Saturdays and midweek games I think congestion will be far less than peak commuter time.
The time to be concerned is if and when a deranged Arab or Hollywood star decides that he is going to invest enough money to take Newport IW FC through the football pyramid to the Premier League.
There’s more chance of me playing in the Champions League Final.
It’s about time Newport were back playing at it’s own ground. Let’s get on with it and get it built.
Speed signs do not solve anything, every day I pass signs and
you will see motorists speeding, look at Beaper Shute
Vehicles still drive along at 70mph+ and along the Military Road.
Until AI Camera’s or ANPR is installed across the Island the
Speed limit will always be broken by morons.
Great Preston Road Ryde is a race track.
It’s about time the Council placed speed humps along such a
Dangerous road.
No Health and Safety on the Island
IW Council and Island Roads have no idea about Road Safety