A section of Ashey Road in Ryde will need to be closed next week to accommodate the ongoing safety improvement work at Smallbrook junction.
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.
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.
This work will require the closure of Ashey Road between Smallbrook Junction and the junction of Upton Road and Swanmore Road from Monday (December 13) morning and Friday (17 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.
“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,” said Dave Marsh, Island Roads design manager.
“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.”
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 December 24 and January 4 if safe to do so.
