Traffic & Highways
While the previous planning application's highway proposals were acceptable to Island Roads and the Highway Authority, we have worked hard to find a better solution for the Westridge Cross and Smallbrook Lane-Great Preston Road junctions.
We are still finalising some minor details, however, through a series of discussions and meetings with Island Roads, we are confident that the new proposal will ease traffic congestion and future-proof the junctions' capacity.
The top plan shows the existing highway layout. Our traffic data indicates that the junctions are nearing capacity, and with Pennyfeathers and other neighbouring developments, improvements to both Westridge Cross and Smallbrook Lane-Great Preston Road junctions are essential. The current congestion, especially at peak times, makes it difficult for residents on Great Preston Road to access their properties.
The bottom plan shows the 2017 previously approved highway solution, considered acceptable in the 2023 application. Although it would have been easy to reuse this proposal, we believe the highway proposal was out of scale and character with the surrounding roads.
This plan shows our revised highway proposal. We propose staggering the east-west junctions at Westridge Cross by removing the Great Preston Road junction from the crossroads.
This staggering is achieved by diverting Great Preston Road
and Smallbrook Lane to meet at a new roundabout located approximately where Prestwood Grange Farmhouse is situated. A new road south of the Westridge Garage will connect Great Preston Road and the Smallbrook Lane roundabout to another new roundabout on Brading Road, thereby removing the crossroads and creating a staggered junction.
The western end of Great Preston Road will become a cul-de-sac, preventing vehicle access to Brading Road or Marlborough Road. However, pedestrians and cyclists will still have access to these roads. The new highway layout will ensure vehicular traffic is calmed but kept flowing, and with new greenways and dedicated cycle and footpaths linking to the surrounding network and popular destinations, will offer a credible alternative to the car.
Linked to the cycleways and footpaths are the revised locations for the bus stops, and we are exploring a pedestrian link to Smallbrook Station. Individually and combined, the revised Pennyfeathers scheme will now offer a far wider and more sustainable transport solution.
The current feedback period following the recent engagement event ended on 26th July 2024