Isle of Wight Council unveils completed St Mary's Junction

Isle of Wight Council says the work will improve traffic flows across the busy junction now and well into the future, creating capacity for development envisaged in the Medina Valley over the next 15 years.

There has been opposition to the scheme since work began in September 2019, with motorists and those who live nearby complaining of delays and detours.

Councillor Ian Ward, Cabinet member for transport and infrastructure, said: “It may take time for people to get used to these new arrangements and I would urge all road users to take additional care when using this junction until they become more familiar with the new road layout and signals.”

As it was before...

Among the proposed developments linked to the work are plans for the former Camp Hill prison site. Discussions are continuing with landowner the Ministry of Justice, with an announcement expected before the end of the year.

See aerial shots of the new junction HERE.

• Camp Hill prison site announcement expected before Christmas

Next year, work will begin on the creation of more lanes between Coppins Bridge and St Georges Way.

Eight named storms and coronavirus have been in the news since work started on St Mary's Junction.

What's changed?

• Controversial St Mary's Roundabout works commence ­— Islanders urged to plan ahead

‘Intelligent’ traffic signals - responsive to traffic volumes - now in place.

Additional slip lanes for traffic turning from the dual carriageway to Forest Road, Hunnyhill and Dodnor Lane.

Provides for improved connections between central Newport, St Mary's Hospital and the Isle of Wight College for cyclists and pedestrians, says the council.

Enhanced facilities for bus users, which County Hall says are already improving journey time reliability between Newport and Cowes.

Three new ‘toucan’ crossings for pedestrians and cyclists at the top of Hunnyhill, Forest Road and across the dual carriageway to the hospital.

Improved bus shelters at the hospital and Hunnyhill.

The former roundabout (above)

The new junction (below)

What needs to happen now?

There will now be further landscaping work, as well as the creation of a new cul-de-sac in front of the homes between Hunnyhill and Forest Road.

The work will be completed between now and Christmas.

Anti-skid surfacing will be laid on the approaches to the signals next spring.

"I am delighted"

Councillor Ian Ward said: “I am delighted these enhancements have been delivered on schedule and on budget by Island Roads.

"I would like to also thank road users, businesses and residents as well as local schools and the Isle of Wight College for their patience and understanding during construction. 

• Residents fed up with St Mary's Roundabout works problems, says councillor
• Hour-long waits outside B&Q ­— Council release next phase of works

“Now the substantial work is in place we will begin to see the benefits of this new system for all highway users.

"It is important to remember that this scheme is not just about easing congestion today, it will future-proof the junction against the predicted increase in car journeys for years to come.”

There have been long delays during the work

"It was vital that we kept on schedule."

Kevin Burton, Island Roads network manager, said: “Given the importance of this busy strategic route, it was vital that we kept on schedule and I am delighted that, despite the challenges, we have managed to do that.

“So many businesses, not least Island companies like Crown Park Construction and Wight Building Materials as well as our own crews, have worked flexibly and with great dedication throughout the past 14 months to keep the project moving.

“We are really pleased to finish the main element of the work on time. The new system is designed to improve journeys and journey times for pedestrians and cyclists as well as motorists and bus users and I am confident the benefits of this work will quickly become apparent to all users.”