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Unsynchronised Lights To Blame For Newport Traffic "Chaos"

Long delays in and around Newport are being blamed, in part, on manually-operated temporary traffic lights which cannot be synchronised.

Yesterday (Monday) Island Roads moved on to the penultimate phase of works to upgrade the pedestrian crossings and traffic signals in and around Newport's Coppins Bridge.

Drivers are reporting much longer delays than previous phases of the works, with some Isle of Wight Radio listeners saying their regular 30 minute journey is now taking almost an hour longer.

Island Roads says the situation is further complicated as the pedestrian signals operate on demand, contributing to the difficulties being encountered by motorists.

A spokesperson from Island Roads said:

"As part of the required traffic management during this phase, one set of lights on Coppins Bridge itself have been removed and three other sets replaced by temporary signals.

"These temporary signals are manually operated during the morning and evening rush hour to keep traffic moving, but as the new lights cannot be synchronised until all the traffic signals have been upgraded, some disruption is unfortunately inevitable particularly while the temporary arrangements ‘bed in’.

"We would like to thank road users for their patience and co-operation."

This current phase is due to end on February 18.

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