New roadworks on St George’s Way in Newport for ‘at least six months’

By Chris Cornford Mar 15, 2021

The latest phase of roadworks designed to reduce congestion in and around Newport is set to get underway later this month.
The scheme will see St George’s Way widened to improve traffic flows, address safety issues and improve connections for buses, cyclists and pedestrians. Both the recently completed St Mary’s work and the forthcoming St George’s Way scheme are funded by a government grant and developer contributions.

The scheme at St George’s Way will also provide an upgrade to the existing crossing at the junction of Furrlongs, improving safety for highway users. During construction, a short local diversion, using adjoining principal roads, will be in place to bypass St George’s Way which will be restricted to one lane. The one-way restriction will be removed in time for the school summer holidays with all subsequent surfacing work being undertaken overnight. There will be other temporary changes to local traffic management to ensure the diversion route is as safe and effective as possible. While access to and from Furrlongs will generally be available during the scheme, there will be periods when access will be restricted.

The project is expected to last for at least six months, starting towards the end of next week, when the new traffic arrangements will be put in place overnight to allow work to begin the next day.
Councillor Ian Ward, Cabinet member for transport and infrastructure, said: “Just as the St Mary’s work has reduced journey times at a busy junction to the north of Newport, then so will this work improve traffic flows to the south of the town. It is part of an ongoing programme of work to make the county town more accessible. And reducing traffic queues is good for motorists and better for the environment too.”

The council and Island Roads are keen to start the project as early in the spring as possible to avoid the busiest summer months. People are being advised to allow extra time for their journeys during the works, including those attending for vaccination at The Riverside Centre.
Kevin Burton, Island Roads network manager, said: “It is impossible to undertake a scheme of this magnitude without causing some inconvenience so we would ask motorists, if possible, to avoid the area or to travel at quieter times of the day.”

Regular updates on progress will be given via the media, Twitter, and a designated page on Island Roads’ website www.islandroads.com,