Diversions in Place For Major Roadworks In Newport

Monday, 15 March 2021 09:27

Diversions are now in place in Newport as major road improvement works get underway.

The Isle of Wight Council has said the latest phase of ongoing investment is to reduce congestion in and around Newport.

The council scheme, delivered by Island Roads, will see St George’s Way widened to improve traffic flows in this area of the town. It will also address safety issues and includes improved connections for buses, cyclists and pedestrians.

Both the St Mary’s work and the St George’s Way scheme are funded by a Government grant and developer contributions and not local authority resources.

The scheme at St George’s will also provide an upgrade to the existing crossing at the junction of Furrlongs, improving safety for highway users.

A local diversion, using adjoining principal roads, is now in place to bypass St George’s Way which will be restricted to one lane.

It means northbound traffic from the Asda roundbaout must now go left towards Church Litten, town centre or Carisbrooke.

The one-way restriction - which is now in force - will be removed in time for the school summer holidays with all subsequent surfacing work being undertaken overnight.

Island Roads has said that while access to and from Furrlongs will generally be available during the scheme, there will be periods when access will be restricted to allow works to take place across the junction. During these times, a signed diversion will be in place and details will be published in advance.

The project is expected to last for at least six months.

The scheme also involves the upgrade of the pedestrian crossing at the entrance to Furrlongs (the latest sensor technology will be installed) and the introduction of a dropped kerb and tactile paving to assist those with mobility issues.

People are being advised to allow extra time for their journeys during the works, including those attending the COVID-19 vaccination centre at The Riverside Centre.