Plans for new speed limits on main Isle of Wight route

The proposed speed limit reductions are part of the Department for Transport’s (DFT) Safer Roads Fund project, which is aimed at managing highway risk proactively, rather than just responding to crashes when they occur.

Vehicle speeds of 20mph or below significantly improves the survival chances of vulnerable road users in vehicle impacts, while speeds of less than 40mph greatly improves the survival chances of vehicle occupants in head-on collisions.

The DFT invited the Isle of Wight Council to submit a bid for the funding of highways improvements on the A3056, and funding of £2,140,000 was awarded.

The A3056, near Goddards Brewery in Branstone. (Image: County Press)

An overall risk rating was established and the A3056 was selected, based on traffic flow and casualty data.

Following an evaluation, changes to numerous speed limits along the A3056, from its junction with the A3020 Blackwater Hollow through to the A3055 Sandown Road, were proposed.

At the cabinet meeting, Island councillors all voted unanimously in favour of approving the scheme. 

It will see the introduction of the following:

• A 50mph speed restriction at Blackwater Shute, between a point 120m south-east of Blackwater Hollow and its junction with Sandown Road.
• A 50mph speed restriction at Sandown Road, Arreton, between its junction with Blackwater Hollow and a point 110m west of Merstone Lane.
• A 20mph speed restriction on the A3056 Arreton Street, Arreton, between a point 75m west of its junction with Pump Lane and a point 70m south-east of its junction with School Lane. (This restriction will only be active when the illuminated signage on-street is lit and will override the current 30mph speed restriction from 8am to 9.30am, and from 2.30pm to 4pm.)

A3056 Blackwater to Merstone plan proposal. (Image: Contributed.)

A3056 Merstone to Arreton plan proposal. (Image: Contributed.)

The proposal will also see the introduction of a 40mph speed restriction on the following:

• Arreton Street, Arreton, between a point 50m west of the Arreton Barns access road and its junction with Arreton Road.
• Arreton Road, Arreton, between its junction with Arreton Street and its junction with Sandown Road.
• Sandown Road, Arreton, between its junction with Arreton Road and a point 110 meters west of its junction with Merstone Lane.
• Merstone Lane, Godshill, between its junction with the A3056 Sandown Road and a point 450m north of Chapel Lane.
• East Lane, Merstone, between its junction with the A3056 Sandown Road and a point 30m south thereof.
• Downend Road, Newport, between its junction with the A3056 Arreton Street and a point 45m north thereof.
• A3056 Hale Common, Arreton, between a point 155m south-east of Bathingbourne Lane and a point 185m north-west of Winford Road.

A3056 Branstone to Apse Heath plan proposal. (Image: Contributed.)

A3056 Newport Road, Lake plan proposal. (Image: Contributed.)

The proposal will further see the introduction of a 20mph speed restriction on the A3056 Newport Road, Lake, between a point 145m east of its junction with Whitecross Lane and a point 30m west of Manor Road.

This restriction will only be active when the illuminated signage on-street is lit and will override the current 30mph speed restriction from 8am to 9.30am, and from 2.30pm to 4pm.

Finally, the proposal will also see the introduction of a 30mph speed limit on A3056 Newport Road, Lake, between a point 25.5m west of its junction with Scotchells Brook Lane, Newchurch, and a point 148.5 meters east of its junction with Scotchells Brook Lane.