A rolling programme of work to upgrade the traffic signals at Coppins Bridge in Newport is to begin on Monday (8th November).
The work being undertaken by Island Roads on behalf of the Isle of Wight Council, will see all the signals at Coppins Bridge upgraded to include the latest ‘intelligent technology’ to make them more reliable and energy efficient, and to improve remote access to enable responses to changes in traffic volumes and faster fault reporting.
Pedestrian crossings
The programme of work will also see four pedestrian crossings in the area upgraded to incorporate the latest LED, low-energy technology.
The crossing between the Medina Way slip road and Fairlee Road will be upgraded 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.
A pause over Christmas
The programme will be undertaken either side of Christmas to ensure the project does not impact on the main festive shopping period and 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 and with temporary traffic lights where required during the daytime. Where necessary these will be manually controlled to aid traffic flow.
Lane or road closures
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.
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.
Timetable for works
Work will begin on Monday 8th November with an upgrade of the set of lights at the junction of St George’s Way and Coppins Bridge. 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 Monday 6th December 2021 and Friday 7th January 2022 and will resume again with the final phases from Monday 10th January, 2022. Prior to this phase starting more communications will be issued highlighting the traffic arrangements to enable people to plan their journeys.
The programme will be completed in its entirety by Friday 11th March 2022.
| 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 |
Gourlay: Thanks residents and businesses for their understanding and co-operation
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.”
News shared by Claire on behalf of Island Roads. Ed
