Three months of roadworks begin in Southampton

Southampton residents are set to face weeks of roadworks as a city centre road is to be improved

Published 24th Jan 2022

Cycle lanes, dropped kerbs and cycle parking spaces are going to be created along St Mary’s Road and the surrounding area.

Work will start on January 24 for about 12 weeks and will result in diversions and road closures.

New cycle lanes both on roads and footways will be created along St Mary’s Road between Charlotte Place and Bellevue Terrace, as well as on Charlotte Place.

Traffic lights at the junctions of St Mary’s Road and Charlotte Place and St Mary’s Road, Onslow Road and Bellevue Terrace will be upgraded to allow cyclists to pass the junction ahead of vehicles.

The pedestrian crossings at St Mary’s Road, Oxford Avenue and Charlotte Place will be upgraded while the plans also include the reconstruction of the northern footway at the Brintons Terrace junction.

Other changes include the conversion of the loading bay opposite St Mary’s leisure centre to a shared taxi rank for use at night, with loading use during the day.

The work will be carried out in four phases.

Here is the full breakdown:

Phase 1: From January 24 for approximately 4 weeks

This phase includes upgrades to the traffic signals, removal of the pedestrian guardrails, conversion of the existing loading bay opposite the leisure centre, the upgrade of the pedestrian crossing by Oxford Avenue.

There will be a full closure of the Charlotte Place link to St Mary’s Road, and two-way temporary traffic lights to the south of the closure. A diversion will be in place via Dorset Street and Onslow Road.

Phase 2: From February 15 for approximately 3 weeks

This phase will see the installation of new cycle lanes and the reconstruction of the northern footway at the Brintons Terrace junction. The southbound bus stop will be built-out and new loading bays installed on Graham Road. Access to Orion Point will also be upgraded.

There will be a full closure of St Mary’s Road, north of the hospital access. Access to Royal South Hants hospital and Orion Point will be maintained. A diversion will be in place via Dorset Road and Onslow Road.

Phase 3: From March 9 for approximately 4 weeks

This phase will deliver new cycle facilities and upgrades to the traffic signals.

This will require the closure of the Charlotte Place left turn into St Mary’s Road and the northbound movement on St Mary’s Road, between Charlotte Place and the hospital access. A diversion will be in place via Dorset Street and Charlotte Place roundabout.

Phase 4: April 4 for approximately 1 week

Road markings will be added and cycle stands will be installed.

This will require full overnight closures of St Mary’s Road, between Onslow Road and Oxford Avenue, as well as the Charlotte Place link to St Mary’s Road. Working hours will be between 8pm and 6am.

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