Work to create an upgraded shared use route between The Riverside Centre and Mews Lane in Newport is progressing well.
The scheme is part of the Isle of Wight Council’s ongoing work to encourage greater use of cycling and walking by creating high quality shared-use paths.
The project is being carried out by Island Roads using money the council has been awarded through the government’s Active Travel 2 and Local Transport Plan programmes.
The first phase of the work between Mews Lane and Halberry Lane — which is the longest phase both in terms of length of footpath upgraded and duration — is complete and phase 2 (Halberry Lane to Gordon Road) is on track to finish at the end of November.
As work on the second phase draws to an end, work will begin on the third section — between Gordon Road and the junction of St Paul’s View/Victoria Road — today (Monday). This means that for a short time, there will be work on both phases 2 and 3.
On completion of the third phase in late December, the scheme will take a pause in order to tie in work on the final phase — St Paul’s View/Victoria Road to The Riverside Centre — with the scheme to upgrade the traffic lights and pedestrian crossings at Coppins Bridge and its approaches.
Therefore, coinciding with the Coppins Bridge work on the Fairlee Link Road, the last phase will commence on Monday 21st February with a planned completion date of Friday 11th March.
This will mean that the temporary pedestrian crossing facilities at the junctions of Fairlee Road and Hillside, and Link Road and Fairlee Road, will be the only traffic control in this vicinity during work.
Councillor Phil Jordan, Cabinet member for infrastructure, said:
“I am glad this project is progressing well – the completed sections are looking excellent and will provide great encouragement for people to take active travel options.
“The decision to coincide the final phase with the signal work at Coppins Bridge is also a logical one as it will reduce the overall traffic management required in the area.”
So when are they going to get serious and reinstate the path/cycle track all the way to Wootton, without a new pedestrian bridge over the track to Belmont Farm this work is pretty pointless.
Well done but it’s a pity the path can’t be extended to encompass the section opposite the ‘Round House’.
Nice looking tarmac job was that Island roads
Pity theycan’t improve ZigZag Road and Alpine Road in Ventnor which are worse than a farm track.
Lets hope the word SHARED sinks in to the brains of cyclists, as people and dogs are also entitled to a safe walk! Bearing in mind even if they are good enough to use BELLS as they approach, some people are deaf. Give them a chance to get their dogs back on leads. They should not be expected to spend their whole lives on short leads
Like too walk along with partner up there…ill say dog mess is always dotted along path and ALWAYS GETS ON ONE OF OUR SHOES.disgusting.lazy walkers its even left in bags…never put in bin! Sort it out you ignoring ones.also it should be law a cyclist having a bell! They whizz past not even knowing theyre coming.im disabled and cant move fast and need tok hold an arm so a little mire thought too the selfish ones who think track’s just for them!lastly whilst my rant is fresh..COUNCIL LISTEN UP…put bins by entrance will you.some kind soul leaves bin bags on gate for rubbish…of which get filled quick but shouldnt be the case.
You are right, these paths are indeed SHARED, that includes ALL users including pedestrians/dog walkers, lets hope that sinks into the brains of people who seem confused when a cyclists comes along simply using the shared path as intended.