Residents are being invited to an information evening at Medina Theatre as major works to remodel the junction at St Mary’s roundabout get underway next week.
The controversial 15-month scheme will replace the existing roundabout with 2, linked traffic light-controlled junctions.
Preparatory works, including the set-up of a site compound/works depot, are due to start on Monday (30th September) leading to major disruption in the area.
The public information evening isn’t being held until Thursday 17th October at Medina Theatre, Newport (19:00). This is for anyone wishing to hear more about the works – although the scheme will have already begun 2-and-a-half weeks prior to the meeting.
Most of the approaches to the roundabout will be unaffected to begin with, with all existing lanes open to traffic north and southbound between Cowes and Newport on either side of the roundabout.
The major change during this period until Monday 4th November will be Forest Road which will become one-way eastbound into Newport from its junction with Argyle Road. This is to accommodate works by BT, WightFibre and SSE high voltage cabling works ahead of the road widening work at this junction.
A signed diversion will be in place for traffic heading towards Gunville and West Wight via Medina Way, St Georges Way, Trafalgar Road, Carisbrooke Road and Gunville Road.
There will however be 3-way temporary traffic lights in place at The Mall/Trafalgar Road on the diversion route to assist traffic flow.
During this phase, work will also take place to introduce the additional lane to the B&Q mini roundabout. This will start in mid-October for 5 weeks, including 2 weeks of night-time work during which the mini-roundabout will be closed to traffic. Works undertaken here during the day will not affect traffic movement.
In the second phase of work, from Monday 4th November to 20th December, Forest Road will revert to 2-way traffic, while all other approaches to the St Mary’s roundabout will be reduced by 1 lane while works to remove the central reservations and roundabout take place.
Councillor Ian Ward, Cabinet member responsible for transport and infrastructure, said:
“The scheme is the largest project to date to improve current and predicted future traffic volumes and traffic flow in and around Newport and facilitate the planned redevelopment in the area including a major project at Camp Hill.
“The scheme is particularly complex because we need to complete the work while keeping this busy junction open to traffic.
“We have carried out extensive communications already ahead of the works starting but recognise there may still be people who have questions about the scheme and the traffic arrangements being put in place and we are therefore holding this information evening so we can answer their questions.
“In the meantime, we would also urge people to take note of the information on both the council’s and Island Roads’ websites to help them plan their journeys and to allow more time for travel, especially at peak times.”
Council leader Cllr Dave Stewart added:
“Councillor Ward and I have engaged with officers to explore what further steps can be brought forward for Coppins Bridge itself.
“Considerations include lane realignment, traffic light management, turning lights off when not essential, and improved access signage for vehicles entering and exiting the roundabout from different locations.
“I am also keen to see plans for a Medina Bridge progress as soon as practicable. I believe this holds the long-term solution to much of the lack of infrastructure identified and will have a positive environmental impact as well as alleviate the congestion.
“We are already underway with the feasibility study and I aim to bring plans forward as soon as possible to we can get funding and take this project forward for the benefit of our community.”
Tickets to the public information event must be obtained in advance by visiting https://www.iow.gov.uk/theatrebookings/, or from the theatre Box Office.
For more information on the scheme visit www.islandroads.com.
Priory Road in Carisbooke cannot handle this extra traffic flow caused by the diversions to Gunville Road, busses have a hard enough time as it is.
WHY ? there is nothing wrong with St Marys roundabout the problem is with Coppins Bridge , why will no one at the Council AKA Fantasy Island listen or even admit it !
Pah! Information? Whether you agree or disagree, it’s not going to change anything. Thanks Echo for giving us updates on the proposed work zones and dates.
The chain ferry MUST be in action before any work commences, and unless Coppins Bridge is solved NOTHING will be improved.
IT’S COPPIN’S BRIDGE AGAIN AND AGAIN COPPIN’S BRIDGE. At Mary’s round about is fine as it is why fix something that’s not broken the chaos caused there is COPPIN’S BRIDGE I think 99%of islands will agree and sending traffic though gunville priory road will cause absolute chaos! People will use smaller roads past the schools as a rat run. Oh don’t forget the token temp traffic lights probably set up in a place where there not needed and of course out of sequence this council is an absolute joke and THEY ARE IN COMPLETE DENIAL ABOUT THE ROUTE CAUSE AND IF THEY LOOK OUT OF COUNTY HALLS WINDOWS THEY WILL SEE IT!!!!
Annie, it’s because St Mary’s is not broken…..it needs to be fixed, it’s the British thing to do…..and the bungs of course. As for Coppins Bridge, when it was just a roundabout (no lights) it worked so the British had to fix that as well! Hope this is clearer to you now. Just take a delightful walk around Newport to enjoy the whole shopping experience, then hope on the ferry to Portsmouth to the shopping precincts of Gunwharf Quay or the town where you have the ODD experience of not dodging traffic. Happy Days.
Look out of County Hall’s windows?? Most of the councillors don’t even know where County Hall is! 35 councillors didn’t even bother to turn up to last nights meeting, apparently, (3rd hand information). I think the vote was 16-12 in favour of it going ahead. Brown envelopes?? Not accusing, just wondering…..as are the other 150,000 residents that don’t want it! As councillors, I thought they were supposed to be the voice of the people, NOT a dictatorship!
Umm, the b&q mini roundabout just happens to be the exit route from the ambulance station.
We don’t need a meeting. We need a petition so that we can get solid agreement on these disastrous roadworks, or NOT
There is no real plan nor plan B when it goes belly up as was evident at last night’s council meeting regarding diversions and closures.
Another floating bridge fiasco in the making.
Over 30 maturing trees plus hedges and shrubs will be cleared and most probally not replaced. or established in the future Why is the work not being undertaken at the bottom of Clissold Road if Camp Hill, the Prison Farm and the prisons themselves are turned into houses.
Public Meeting ! Only six months late, waste of time
As for the Forest Road diversion, stand by for a surge in accidents, Gunville and Newbridge most likely
They “saved money” by skipping the training necessary to properly manage the coppins bridge traffic light system. Hopefully they won’t make the same mistake this time.
What a very great shame that the plant and wildlife on the roundabout is to be destroyed. It is so attractive.