The traffic delays that have dogged the Newport to Cowes road over the past year, look like coming to a close as work on Newport's St Mary's junction enters its final phases.

The Isle of Wight Council says the project looks set to be completed ahead of schedule.

The next crucial phase of the works, which will replace the St Mary's roundabout with a signal-controlled junction, will start on October 12 and run until November 23.

During this phase, the main work will involve removing the temporary roundabout and putting in ithe first elements of the new signalised junction.

Isle of Wight County Press: The scheduled works from October 12 to October 26.The scheduled works from October 12 to October 26.

Island Roads will also be constructing the new bus lane at the top of Hunnyhill and installing a signal- controlled pedestrian crossing.

With the new junction in place, traffic coming from Cowes wanting to travel west to Yarmouth, will also be able to turn right at the new traffic signals at the junction with Forest Road.

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The council says, prior to this phase of the work starting, it will be necessary to install the cabling for the temporary traffic lights that will replace the roundabout until the new permanent lights become operational.

It says this cannot be undertaken with traffic moving and the work will be undertaken on the nights of October 10 and 11 between 8pm and 6am.

During this time the route will be closed in all directions to traffic and a diversion will be in place. The southbound diversion will be via the Dodnor estate and Riverway, the northbound diversion via Hunnyhill.

Isle of Wight County Press: The scheduled works from October 26 to November 23.The scheduled works from October 26 to November 23.

From October 12, Hunnyhill will also be closed to all through traffic, except buses, to undertake the work on the new bus lane and surrounding area.

However resident access will remain, but from the southern end of the road only (at its junction with Foxes Road and Hunnycross Way). Access to Whitesmith Road will be via Albany Road during this time.

The final phase of the work to layout Parkhurst Road as a cul-de-sac with no through access will be completed between November 23 and December 18.

Cllr Ian Ward, Cabinet member for transport and infrastructure, said: "Despite some challenges, not least the coronavirus pandemic, we remain on course to complete this project on schedule, thanks, in no small measure, to the co-operation and understanding of residents.

Isle of Wight County Press: The scheduled works from November 23 to December 18.The scheduled works from November 23 to December 18.

"We are extremely grateful for this and as we embark on the concluding — and potentially most disruptive — phase of work, we would once again ask for your continued support.

"Further delays will be inevitable as drivers adjust to the different traffic arrangements, so if you can avoid the area and find an alternative route, please do so if possible.

"By the end of November, we'll have a much-improved junction with greater capacity and reduced congestion, improved pedestrian and cycling connections to the hospital and improvements to bus journey reliability between Newport and Cowes."