24 Sep 2008
Work will start this week on a £4.1m scheme to improve traffic flow around the Coldra roundabout at the A449 and Junction 24 interchange on the M4.
The Coldra Roundabout is a very busy junction connecting a number of strategic roads on the eastern side of Newport. The Junction has experienced increasing levels of congestion following a number of developments in Newport and along the M4 and A449. Consequently, the roundabout has now exceeded its design capacity for the number of vehicles that use it regularly.
The most significant and striking of the new improvements will be the introduction of a ‘hamburger’ arrangement, which will provide a new carriageway to route traffic between the A449 and the M4 Westbound entry slip road through the central island. This will be in combination with alterations to the A449 approach to Coldra Roundabout from the North and minor changes to the eastern end of the M4 Westbound entry slip road.
Together with a series of additional measures, this new arrangement is expected to significantly improve traffic flows at this busy interchange.
The Coldra is a major gateway to the city of Newport and landscaping is regarded as an important part of the improvement scheme. Newport Unlimited has been consulted to ensure compatibility of the landscaping with their proposals for the other gateways to the city.
The main contractor for the works is Alun Griffiths Contractors Limited and Capita Symonds, as Consulting Engineer, will supervise the works.
This is a busy section of the trunk road network and there is likely to be some disruption to road users whilst the works are in progress. Traffic management will be in place to protect the workforce, motorists and control the flow of traffic, and every effort will be made to minimise inconvenience to road users, local businesses and residents.
Further information can be obtained from the Welsh Assembly Government’s South Wales Trunk Road Agency on 01792 325 900 or e-mail enquiries@southwales-tra.gov.uk.
