The Island’s MP, Andrew Turner, has said that perhaps it is now time that the Island looked at building a ring road around Newport Town, to coincide with the proposed Asda development.
Next Wednesday (2nd July) the Isle of Wight Council Planning Committee are set to meet to consider two applications received for land off of St George’s Way in Newport. Both applications are for the development of a brand new Asda superstore which, should planning permission be granted, could create up to 450 jobs for the local economy.
One plan has been put forward by the supermarket giant to build a supermarket, petrol station and café on the land beside Newport Football Club, whilst an alternative plan has been put forward by owners of Newport Football Club, South Coast Leisure, for a retail development which will be a little closer to Newport Town – albeit very slightly
There has been much debate locally as to whether the development would be a positive or negative move for Newport, with many saying it could take away trade from independent shops. Meanwhile, a large majority of Island residents are excited at the proposed plans to finally bring the affordable and popular supermarket to the Isle of Wight. It was previously hoped the store would be open by December 2012.
Speaking yesterday Mr Turner said:
“We all use supermarkets, and many would like the option of an Asda, but perhaps we should be looking at different supermarket models. If we do have another one in my opinion it should not be ‘out of town’ but rather in town, accessible to those without cars and where our local shops will not be so disadvantaged. Other towns have supermarkets built above car parks in town or with car parking on their roof – why can’t we? It’s true it is a more expensive option, so clearly one that the supermarkets themselves might not favour, but it is one that doesn’t seem to have been explored. We need some imaginative thinking if our town centres and family businesses are to be protected. If town centres continue to lose out to green-field developments we will lose many more jobs than a new supermarket would create”.
The site due for development by Asda is less than 0.5 miles from Church Litten and only 0.3 miles from clothing store Matalan. In comparison, it is roughly the same distance between Poundland and Cineworld.
Speaking about the road infrastructure in and around the area, Mr Turner has said:
“It is just not suitable as it is. Eight years ago I suggested a ring road from Staplers to St. Georges to relieve the pressure on Coppins Bridge. It was not considered then but perhaps now is the time to think about it, and make it a condition if approval is to be given to an out-of-town option.
“It is absolutely essential we get these matters sorted out properly before any permission is given”.
Concerns have been raised locally about the recent increase in congestion on Coppins Bridge and South Street, with Island Echo readers supporting the MP’s idea of a direct road from Staplers to St Georges, which would ease traffic on the residential Staplers Road and on Coppins Bridge.
There have been suggestions for the ring road to be dual carriageway with improvements to Coppins Bridge to allow a near two-lane traffic flow from St Mary’s Roundabout right through to St George’s and up to the newly built roundabout on Staplers Road/Long Lane.
Should the Asda development go ahead, Shide Cross (outside National Tyres) will become traffic light controlled. Island Road’s Highway Engineer has raised no objections to the highway changes in the area.
Both applications have been recommended for conditional approval ahead of next week’s meeting.
