Drive to make Newport's roads safer through £320,000 pot

The changes in Newport could be put into place thanks to a £320,000 pot from developers through Section 106 agreements and Telford & Wrekin's capital programme.

The changes could include a review of all directional signing in and around the Newport, including lorry route signing, which will cost £183,500.

Other expenses could include the extension of the existing 20mph zone on Boughey Road for £39,150, extension of the existing speed limit on Wellington Road for £9,900 and a one way restriction on Avenue Road for £35,000. There could also be a one way restriction Water Lane, costing £33,400, and on Beaumaris Road, costing £32,100, and a weight limit put in place on Pave Lane for £20,000.

Across Upper Bar and Station Road there could be the maintenance of existing signs and a new pedestrian crossing at a cost of £20,600 and the implementation of a weight limit on Forton Road and the Town Centre for £17,800.

All the prices are estimated and include maintenance of the area.

There are also proposals for a width restriction through Newport High Street at a cost of £24,500 and a review of the existing bollard system on Audley Avenue for £7,995.

The cost of all 11 proposals adds up to more than the £320,000 pot available, and councillors on Newport Town Council’s Community Safety Committee met on Tuesday evening to discuss which should be prioritised.

They proposed that the work on Avenue Road should be the most important, followed by Beaumaris Road, Station Road, Wellington Road, Boughey Road, High Street, Water Lane and Forton Road and the Town Centre.

This would leave £87,550, which the council suggested should be put towards the directional signing.

Work on Pave Lane and Audley Avenue Bollards was said to not be a priority, and it was recommended that it was not pursued any further.

The suggestions will be submitted to Telford & Wrekin Council, who will make the final decision.

The report discussed at the meeting said: "Telford & Wrekin Council have been successful in securing funding as part of the Newport Enterprice Package to deliver £320,000 worth of improvements in Newport Town Centre.

"This funding is made up of funding from both the marches Local Enterprise Partnership Growth Deal and Telford & Wrekin Council's Capital Programme.

"The total value of the proposed improvements exceed the funding available. Therefore there is a requirement to prioritise the improvements so we can deliver the most important improvements first."

Councillor Peter Scott, who is on the committee, said: "We want to put together what the residents have said are their priorities.

"I feel that we should be guided by the residents, give them what it is they've been complaining about. We're all in favour of improving the roads around the schools.

"This is very much a joint community safety idea. An opportunity like this doesn't come along very often."