June news
New signs keep drivers up to date
New electronic signs to warn drivers of traffic problems are being installed by Portsmouth City Council.
The five signs will add to the five already installed on city roads. They are due to start operating this week, on southbound routes, as follows:
- London Road (at Widley, near the city boundary)
- Southampton Road (near Port Solent junction)
- Portsbridge roundabout (near the Citroen garage)
- Eastern Road (near Anchorage Road)
- Eastern Road (near Fitzherbert Road)
They will link to another new sign on the M275 southbound, near Tipner.
Simon Moon, the council's traffic safety manager, said: "These signs can keep drivers informed of roadworks causing serious delays, or incidents that might affect their journey. We'll be able to explain unavoidable delays or advise on alternative routes to avoid a hold-up. If there's a serious incident, we can prevent it getting worse by directing traffic away from the area.
"Because the signs will be linked up to our transport management centre, which has cameras at all major junctions, we'll be able to react very quickly to problems and keep drivers informed almost immediately."
The five new signs in the city cost a total of £100,000, from the council's government grant for transport improvements.
The five signs previously installed are at:
- Market Way southbound
- St Michael's gyratory (approaching Hampshire Terrace)
- St George's Road
- Cambridge Road
- Museum Road
Cllr Lynne Stagg, the council's Cabinet Member for Traffic and Transportation, said: "These signs are a brilliant idea. We live in a congested city and they will help drivers like me make the right decisions about their journeys and avoid jams."
Date : 26 June 2008