Travel Disruption Expected As Major Coppins Bridge Works Start

Thursday, 4 November 2021 10:40

By Oliver Dyer @olidyer

Drivers are warned to expect disruption as work to upgrade traffic signals at Coppins Bridge starts next week.

Island Roads, on behalf of the Isle of Wight Council, is installing latest ‘intelligent technology’ to make traffic lights more reliable and energy efficient.

Four pedestrian crossings in the area will also be upgraded to incorporate the latest LED, low-energy technology.

The crossing between the Medina Way slip road and Fairlee Road will be changed from a ‘Pelican’ to a ‘Puffin’ crossing, which includes smart technology that automatically extends crossing times for slower pedestrians and does not halt traffic when nobody is using it. The remaining crossings, which are already Puffin crossings, will also be upgraded to run on a lower voltage to improve energy efficiency.

Island Roads says works will be undertaken either side of Christmas to ensure the project doesn't impact the main festive shopping period. It will involve seven signal sites undertaken over five phases, to further reduce disruption.

Much of the programme will be undertaken overnight to help limit disruption, but temporary traffic lights will be put in place in daytime where required. Where necessary these will be manually controlled to aid traffic flow.

Some lane or road closures will be necessary during some of the more complex, aspects of the programme to complete the work and during these times a signed diversion will be in place.

Keith Gourlay, Island Roads construction manager, said:

“Clearly Coppins Bridge is an extremely busy location and the need to minimise disruption has been foremost in our planning with the Isle of Wight Council.

“There will be periods when alternative traffic arrangements will be necessary, but we are doing all we can to minimise impact including much night working and, crucially, ceasing work altogether in the run up to and over the Christmas period.

“But as all Islanders know, this is a very busy junction and we hope residents will appreciate the need to ensure the traffic signals are the most efficient, safe and effective.

“We will be working closely in the coming weeks with local businesses to discuss the arrangements around the works taking place in the New Year, particularly those in the High Street to assist with any access requirements for deliveries.

“We would like to thank residents and businesses in advance for their understanding and co-operation.”

The schemes are the last phase of a programme under the Highways PFI to upgrade all of the Island’s traffic lights and pedestrian crossings.

It was initially scheduled to be undertaken in 2019 but postponed, in agreement with the Isle of Wight Council, so as not to coincide either with the St Mary’s junction improvement or the St George’s Way widening schemes.

The first set of works, beginning on Monday, will see the set of lights at the junction of St George’s Way and Coppins Bridge upgraded. While this is done there will be temporary signals in place, operated manually to ensure traffic is kept moving.

On completion, attention will then shift to upgrading the Barton Road/High Street pedestrian crossing.

The work will then cease for the festive period between December 6 and January 7, 2022. They will resume again from January 10, 2022.

Island Roads hopes the project will be fully completed by March 11, 2022.

A full timetable of works can be found below:

Phase	Location	Duration	Traffic management
A	Coppins Bridge / St George’s Way	Monday November 8 – Friday November 19	Night-time work with no restrictions during the day. Temporary lights will be in use, operated manually during the day. There will be some night-time lane closures.
B	Coppins Bridge/Barton Road pedestrian crossing	Monday November 22 – Friday December 3	Night-time work with some lane closures. Temporary traffic signals in place, manually controlled during the day. Temporary pedestrian crossing in place
Christmas/New Year break		Monday December 6, 2021 - Friday January 7, 2022.	No restrictions or traffic management
C	High St Signals/Coppins Bridge Pedestrian crossing	Monday January 10 – Friday January 28, 2022	24hr High St road closure, Signed diversion route to Towngate/Hunnycross Way/Medina Way
C	High St Pedestrian Crossing	Monday January 10 – Friday January 28, 2022	Day works lane closures
D	Medina Way/Coppins Bridge/Snooks Hill	Monday January 31 – Friday February 18, 2022	24hr three-way temporary traffic signals Night time vehicle activated and daytime manually controlled
E	Fairlee Road/Link Road/ Staplers Rd/Snooks Hill	Monday February 21 – Friday March 11, 2022	24-hour closure of Fairlee Road between Link Road and Snooks Hill for the duration of the phase. Temporary pedestrian crossing on Link Road and temporary traffic signals and lane closure on Staplers Road when required.
E	Medina Way – Link Road	Monday February 21– Friday March 11, 2022	Temporary traffic lights and temporary pedestrian crossings

More from Isle of Wight News

Five-Year Isle Of Wight Area Of Outstanding Natural Beauty Plan Unanimously Approved

A five-year plan for conserving and enhancing the Isle of Wight’s Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) was unanimously approved by councillors yesterday.
More Islanders Cross The Solent With Wightlink’s Discounted Fares For NHS Appointments

A year after Wightlink introduced the £70 maximum return ferry fare for Isle of Wight residents travelling to the mainland for NHS appointments, there has been an increase of more than 50 per cent in the number of crossings made by Islanders using these discounted fares*.
Hampshire And Isle Of Wight Air Ambulance Funds Defibrillators For The Community

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance has funded seven automated external defibrillators (AEDs) that will be in almost continuous circulation throughout the community, as they travel with staff and volunteers to events and talks that the charity attends.
Isle Of Wight Council Budget Pressures Likely To Continue Following Autumn Statement

The government’s Autumn Statement is “unlikely” to ease pressures on the Isle of Wight Council’s budget, its leader said in an update report.
Council Approves Support Package To Help Islanders On Low Incomes

An “opened up” support package to help Islanders on low incomes pay council tax was approved at a major Isle of Wight Council meeting yesterday (Wednesday).
Isle Of Wight Councillor In Mental Health Priority Motion

An Isle of Wight councillor has lodged a motion calling for mental health to be a ‘priority’ across all of County Hall’s areas of responsibility.
Bird Keepers Urged To Remain Vigilant Following Increased Avian Influenza Risk

Bird keepers across the Isle of Wight are being asked to protect their birds following an increase in the risk of bird flu.
Island Pupils Receive Lesson In Road Safety That Could Save Lives

The innovative Riot Act theatre-in-education performance group returned to the Isle of Wight last week to bring their unique and personal take on road safety and awareness to hundreds of Island students.
New Shanklin Flats Given Green Light

A main road in an Isle of Wight seaside town will get two new flats following a council decision today.
Joe Robertson Appointed Parliamentary Private Secretary For Shadow Culture, Media And Sport

Joe Robertson, Member of Parliament for Isle of Wight East, has been appointed as Parliamentary Private Secretary for the Shadow Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) team by new Conservative Leader Kemi Badenoch.
Shanklin Company Making Nuclear Waste Sorting Safer, Greener And Cheaper

Nuclear waste has always been difficult to handle but an Isle of Wight firm is aiming to keep humans further away from the hazardous materials.
Five-Year Isle Of Wight Landscape Plan Decision On Horizon

A key County Hall forum will tomorrow decide on whether to approve a five-year plan for the Isle of Wight’s nationally important landscape.
Help Sought For Isle Of Wight's Struggling Small Businesses

Small businesses have been through “hell” in recent years and politicians should step in to help, an Isle of Wight councillor has said.
Primary School Admissions For September 2025 Now Open

The Isle of Wight Council would like to remind parents they can now register their children for primary school admissions, for the September 2025 school term.
Island Families Invited To Take Tour Of St Mary's Special Care Baby Unit

Families with infants requiring special care at St Mary’s Hospital can now take a virtual tour of the Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU) and take a look around the environment and the facilities available to families on the Island.
Work To Sink Three Boreholes At Leeson Road Due To Finish This Week

Work to sink three boreholes along Leeson Road, the deepest of which reaches a depth of 130 metres, is expected to finish this week.
Emergency Works Underway To Repair Shanklin Culvert And Prevent Flooding

A collapsed culvert in Shanklin is to be fixed to help prevent flooding.
New Strategy For Tree Care On Isle Of Wight

A new tree management strategy has been approved by the Isle of Wight Council — the first time the authority has taken this step.
Public Spaces Protection Orders To Be Reinstated Across The Island

The Isle of Wight Council has decided to reinstate a series of Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs), which regulate dog control measures across the Island.
Who Is Your Island Tourism Hero? Red Funnel's Isle Of Wight Award Nominations Open For 2025

Red Funnel is asking Isle of Wight businesses and residents to nominate their very own Tourism Hero for 2024 – a brand-new accolade launched as part of the annual Red Funnel Isle of Wight Awards held earlier this month.

Recently Played

Trustfall

Pink
Download
Hot To Go!

Chappell Roan
Download
Over And Over

Nelly / Tim Mcgraw
Download

Five-Year Isle Of Wight Area Of Outstanding Natural Beauty Plan Unanimously Approved
A five-year plan for conserving and enhancing the Isle of Wight’s Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) was unanimously approved by councillors yesterday.
More Islanders Cross The Solent With Wightlink’s Discounted Fares For NHS Appointments
A year after Wightlink introduced the £70 maximum return ferry fare for Isle of Wight residents travelling to the mainland for NHS appointments, there has been an increase of more than 50 per cent in the number of crossings made by Islanders using these discounted fares*.
Hampshire And Isle Of Wight Air Ambulance Funds Defibrillators For The Community
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance has funded seven automated external defibrillators (AEDs) that will be in almost continuous circulation throughout the community, as they travel with staff and volunteers to events and talks that the charity attends.
Isle Of Wight Council Budget Pressures Likely To Continue Following Autumn Statement
The government’s Autumn Statement is “unlikely” to ease pressures on the Isle of Wight Council’s budget, its leader said in an update report.

Travel Disruption Expected As Major Coppins Bridge Works Start

Share

More from Isle of Wight News

Recently Played