Isle of Wight drivers are urged to 'allow extra time for journeys' as six months of roadworks at St George's Way begin.
From the end of next week, the Isle of Wight Council is planning to widen the road to "improve traffic flows" in this area of the town.
It says it will also address safety issues and includes improved connections for buses, cyclists and pedestrians.
The project follows the recently completed works at St Mary’s junction.
Councillor Ian Ward, Cabinet member for transport and infrastructure, said:
“Just as the St Mary’s work has reduced journey times at a busy junction to the north of Newport, then so will this work improve traffic flows to the south of the town.
“It is part of an ongoing programme of work to make the county town more accessible. And reducing traffic queues is good for motorists and better for the environment too.
“This is another example of the council, Island Roads and local contractors working successfully to deliver large-scale infrastructure projects that are of real benefit to the Island.”
Both the St Mary’s work and the forthcoming 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 Furlongs, improving safety for highway users.
During construction, a short local diversion using adjoining principal roads will be in place to bypass St George’s Way which will be restricted to one lane.
The one-way restriction will be removed in time for the school summer holidays with all subsequent surfacing work being undertaken overnight.
There will be other temporary changes to local traffic management to ensure the diversion route is as safe and effective as possible.
These changes include the temporary relocation of the South Street taxi ranks to St James Street and closing Medina Avenue/St George’s Approach junction to prevent traffic diverting via the residential estate during the period of the work.
However, these arrangements will be reviewed on a regular basis and may be subject to change.
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.
On March 8, a works compound will be established at the southern end of Upper Coppins Bridge car park. Pedestrian access to the rear of properties in Ash Road will be maintained.
Kevin Burton, Island Roads network manager said:
“The diversion route has been designed to maximise the use of the local strategic network with revised priorities introduced throughout the temporary gyratory and we should not see an increase in vehicles using residential streets.
“Nevertheless, it is impossible to undertake a scheme of this magnitude without causing some inconvenience so we would ask motorists, if possible, to avoid the area or to travel at quieter times of the day."
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.
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