TRANSPORT experts have compiled a case calling for a rethink of the St Mary's Roundabout scheme, questioning the 'unrealistically high' traffic data used to justify it.
It comes after the Isle of Wight Council's transport cabinet member said there was no evidence to suggest remodelling the roundabout, replacing it with traffic light-controlled junctions, was a bad idea.
The work is due to start on Monday, in a bid to reduce traffic congestion through Newport, but a number of objections have been raised and more than 2,300 people have signed a petition to stop the scheme.
Speaking at last Wednesday's full council meeting, Cllr Ian Ward, cabinet member for infrastructure and transport, called for evidence to support objections and described some opposition councillors' arguments as 'make believe.'
"We have been advised by professional engineers. I'm not sure how many professional engineers are on the other side of the chamber, but they are talking as if they know all the answers and we are wrong," he said.
In response, Will Ainslie and Martin Gibson, directors at People Powered Community Interest Company (PPCIC), who have extensive experience in the sustainable transport sector, have offered 'some commentary on the rationale' behind the project.
In a report, sent to all council members, PPCIC pointed out traffic had actually decreased across the Island and said the council should concentrate its efforts on sustainable travel.
It quoted a council report that cited traffic growth of around 22 per cent between 2017 and 2034.
However, government projections suggest the Island's population will only grow by 6.5 per cent in the same period.
Original plans for the St Mary's Roundabout scheme were based on a Newport traffic model from 2008, which predicted traffic growth between 2007 and 2020 of around 26 per cent.
In fact, according to the Department of Transport traffic counts, traffic has decreased by one per cent.
In a joint statement, Mr Ainslie and Mr Gibson said: "The current junction plans are based on projections of traffic growth that are much higher than the patterns we've seen over the last two decades and fail to take into account the clear trend towards less car use.
"Planning ahead for proposed increases in housing and traffic is important, but we need to be sure the projections are realistic, that designs are proportionate and they include ample facilities for people to be able to walk, cycle and use public transport.
"It's important to remember that 25 per cent of households in Newport do not have access to a car.
"From the perspective of drivers, the more people who use non-car modes, the less congestion there will be on the roads. So what’s good for walkers, cyclists and public transport users is also good for drivers.
"Because of the unrealistically high traffic growth forecasts the plans are based on, the current designs for St Mary's junction are too heavily skewed towards road capacity for cars and fail to adequately cater for other modes of transport.
"This is why we believe a pause and a re-think is a good idea."
An extraordinary meeting of the full council will be held on Wednesday to debate the scheme.
The full PPCIC report can be viewed online at people-powered.org.uk/st-marys-junction
UPDATE:
An Isle of Wight Council spokesperson said: “Traffic modelling used in the St Mary’s scheme has been developed by an internationally recognised transport planning consultancy.
“The modelling indicates the existing roundabout will experience severe capacity issues in 2034 – the end of the Local Plan period – with significant queuing at peak times.
“A number of potential improvements were reviewed and tested and the current St Mary’s scheme – two linked signal-controlled junctions – was found to offer the best solution.
“For example, traffic modelling suggests that by 2034 the existing roundabout would experience queues of 157 vehicles southbound on Medina Way in the morning peak period, and 200 vehicles leaving the Dodnor Industrial Estate during the evening peak.
“This compares to significantly reduced queues of 20 and 40 vehicles, respectively, under the new junction arrangements.
“The modelling has been informed by actual traffic counts undertaken in 2017, projected to 2034 based on the current industry standard best predictions.
“Our transport planning consultant has reviewed the information provided by PPCIC and concluded it is selective and not a robust assessment which establishes any case for revisiting the traffic modelling.”
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