A section of Ashey Road in Ryde will need to be closed next week to accommodate the ongoing safety improvement work at Smallbrook junction (see update at bottom).
On behalf of the Isle of Wight Council, Island Roads is currently introducing a number of new safety features at a re-aligned Smallbook Junction which has been highlighted by accident data as requiring safety improvements.
Redirecting utility services
For the past few weeks, utility companies have been redirecting their services so the new layout can be built next year.
One element of this utility work requires the diversion of BT Openreach infrastructure.
Closure of Ashey Road
This work will require the closure of Ashey Road between Smallbrook Junction and the junction of Upton Road and Swanmore Road from Monday (13th December) morning and Friday (17th December).
The diversion in both directions will be via Upton Road and Carters Road. Both Smallbrook Lane and Carters Road will be re-opened in both directions to facilitate the diversion. There will also be three-way traffic lights at Smallbrook Junction.
Revert to one-way
On completion of the work, Smallbrook Lane and Carters Road will revert to one-way west to east (eastbound) for the ongoing construction works.
Dave Marsh, Island Roads design manager, said,
“We had hoped BT could undertake this work with just one lane of Ashey Road closed but more detailed investigation has shown the infrastructure is not quite where they had it mapped.
“While this means the whole section of Ashey Road between the roundabout and the Upton Road / Swanmore Road junction will be closed, opening up Smallbrook Lane and Carters Road to two-way traffic once more should lessen the impact of the closure.”
Marsh: All worked closely together to limit the impact
Dave added,
“This is a very complex scheme involving work from all the main utility companies and I would like to thank them all for their co-operation. We have all worked closely together to limit the impact on road users.
“This co-operation has meant that, despite some challenges, we have kept the project to the original timetable. That said, we realise that work has inevitably had some local impact and we would like to thank residents too for their patience.
“We know this junction requires improvement and look forward to unveiling the new layout and other safety features including anti-skid surfacing, better lighting and a reduced speed limit early in April 2022.”
Island Roads plans to remove all traffic restrictions over the Christmas holiday between 24th December and 4th January if safe to do so.
Update
Island Roads sent through this update at 3.30pm on Thursday.
Further to our update earlier this week, we are writing to inform you of changes to the dates over which BT Openreach will be undertaking work to divert its services at Smallbrook.
BT has informed us that the work (originally to be undertaken between Monday and Friday next week 13-17th) will now be undertaken between Friday December 17th and Tuesday December 21 including at the weekend.
As previously communicated, this work will require the closure of a section of Ashey Road with traffic diverted via Carters Road (which will revert to two-way traffic) and Upton Road.
Until the BT work begins, the current traffic arrangements will remain with Carters Road and Smallbrook Lane one-way with three-way lights at Smallbrook roundabout. While on site, they will bring forward work involving the erection of a new telegraph pole prior to the re-routing of overhead cables which is planned for January.
After the BT work, we intend to remove all traffic management from the area for the Christmas and New Year period although, of course, this can only be done if it is safe to do so.
While the new BT dates are a departure from the schedule communicated to you earlier this week, it should not affect the overall duration of the project.
Article edit
3.30pm 9th Dec 2021 – Update added
News shared by Gavin behalf of Island Roads. Ed
Images show the Smallbrook location and also the scale of some of the utility work recently undertaken there.
