As work on Newport’s St Mary’s junction enters its final phases, the project looks set to be completed on schedule.
The next crucial phase of the works, which will replace the St Mary’s roundabout with a signal-controlled junction, will start on 12th October and run until 23rd November.
During this phase, the main element of work will involve removing the temporary roundabout and putting in its place the first elements of the new signalised junction allowing the full capacity of the improved arrangements to be realised.
Island Roads will also be constructing the new bus lane at the top of Hunnyhill and installing the much sought-after signal-controlled pedestrian crossing.
With the new junction in place, traffic coming from Cowes wanting to travel west to Yarmouth, will also be able to shorten their journeys by turning right at the new traffic signals at the junction with Forest Road.
Prior to this phase of the work starting, it will be necessary to install the cabling for the temporary traffic signals that will replace the roundabout until the new permanent traffic signals become operational.
This cannot be undertaken with traffic moving through the area and therefore this work will be undertaken over 2 nights on 10th and 11th October between 20:00 and 06:00.
During this time the route will be closed in all directions to traffic and a diversion will be in place. The southbound diversion will be via the Dodnor estate and Riverway, the northbound diversion via Hunnyhill.
From 12th October it will also be necessary to close Hunnyhill to all through traffic, except buses, to undertake the construction work on the new bus lane and surrounding area.
However resident access will remain throughout, but from the southern end of the road only (at its junction with Foxes Road and Hunnycross Way). Access to Whitesmith Road will be via Albany Road during this time.
The final phase of the work to lay out Parkhurst Road as a cul-de-sac with no through access will be completed between 23rd November and 18th December.
Councillor Ian Ward, Cabinet member for transport and infrastructure, said:
“Despite some challenges, not least the coronavirus pandemic, we remain on course to complete this project on schedule, thanks, in no small measure, to the co-operation and understanding of residents.
“We are extremely grateful for this and as we embark on the concluding — and potentially most disruptive — phase of work, we would once again ask for your continued support.
“Further delays will be inevitable as drivers adjust to the different traffic arrangements, so if you can avoid the area and find an alternative route, please do so if possible.
“By the end of November, we’ll have a much improved junction with greater capacity and reduced congestion, improved pedestrian and cycling connections to the hospital and improvements to bus journey reliability between Newport and Cowes.”
It makes you really proud of our Councillors – doesn’t it – that they have such great empathy for the people and really understand how we feel about this project and their handling of it? I wonder how the ambulance drivers feel now that they have to take an even longer way round to get to Cowes from St Marys Hospital. Thoughts…
What a waste of money traffic will not improve until another bridge is built of medina then council can scrap floating bridge now that is a waste of money
Stupid stupid stupid stupid stupid stupid stupid idea that will not improve traffic flow or reduce traffic flow. Primary school kids could predict that. Insane stupid idea from the start. Oh how we will reminisce about the days when there was no queues there. I may have said it already but stupid. Waste of money, time, resources and peoples future lives waiting there.
Am I dreaming? Were we not told a few weeks ago that this was ahead of schedule and was finishing a month early?
Looks to me to be another junction designed by desk drivers. Should have just extended the roundabout.
Impossible for the work to be completed early as there are never more than 8 people, can not say workman as they never seem to be be working unless talking counts.
Alternative route suggested by the councillor can he please explain how else I get from West Cowes to Newport? Oh yes how do I get to Cowes when I have been to the hospital?