Further traffic improvement works in Newport are to get underway shortly, with plans to make St George’s Way 3 lanes wide between Coppins Bridge and the Matalan roundabout.
An Isle of Wight councillor has revealed that ‘quite a significant diversion’ is planned through the Island’s main town, taking traffic past Marks and Spencer and Morrisons. However, in reality, the diversion is very short and will see motorists going ‘around the block’ – in both directions – to bypass the works near to Cineworld and KFC.
Councillor Ian Ward, cabinet member for infrastructure and transport, said he thought it would not cause problems for traffic in the town, telling a meeting on Thursday “it might even be a good diversion”.
The carriageway improvement works are part of the £9.6 million package given to the Isle of Wight Council by the government. The scheme is anticipated to be completed by early autumn, at the latest.
Last year’s work and the first phase of improvements in Newport saw St Mary’s Roundabout changed into a junction. It was one of the biggest schemes of the town’s strategic junction improvements, which has already included the creation of the Asda roundabout, linking Shide and St George’s Way.
No firm date has yet been set for when the work on St George’s Way will start.
As exclusively reported by Island Echo, works are also set to get underway in Ryde with the redevelopment of Smallbrook Roundabout.
So, where is the extra width coming from? Are we going to lose the footpaths along there? 6 months of chaos for what? Just to increase the area available for cars to queue up to get onto Coppins Bridge? What we have is not ideal, but is it really going to improve things? I don’t think so.
Hopefully the 3rd lane will join South street so traffic can flow into town easier. Maybe even come off and utilise the road between k.f.c and Matalan into town, Who knows anyone seen a plan yet?
It will make a vast difference. People will no longer have to try to pass traffic stopped in the Cowes/Town Center lane to get into the empty Ryde lane.
Only good thing about this is that the present ruts in the road might actually get filled in.
Or be lumpy like all routes.
It should of been done while the shops are it lockdown but that would take brains to work that one out
About time, but this should have been paid for by the developers of the Cineworld complex.
The council want to make the alterations because they need somewhere to berrie the floating bridge
As quoted:-
Councillor Ian Ward, cabinet member for infrastructure and transport, said he thought it would not cause problems for traffic in the town, telling a meeting on Thursday “it might even be a good diversion”.
Has anyone seen a wonderful diversion might be better than a good one!
What a load of bull!
Maybe someone could turn it into a board game “Driving Round Newport” – throw a six to start.
Pass County Hall and pay £200 extra Council Tax? Penalty Pot, spend an hour at KFC picking up rubbish. (Other rubbish sites are available) ANy other suggestions?
You have been elected to be the leader of the Council.
Make bad decisions and collect £100,000
Why is this road even necessary? There will be no need to go to Newport, there will be no shops open!