Our auditors carried out a Stage 3 Road Safety Audit on the M4 J28 Improvement Scheme in Newport, South Wales, having been involved in the project through the preliminary and design stages. The scheme involved improvements to three junctions, the M4 J28 itself as well as at two adjacent roundabout junctions on the strategic network, Bassaleg and Pont Ebbw. The aim of the scheme was to improve capacity and manage flows throughout the junctions. A brief summary of the scheme is as follows:
- Bassaleg – increase in the size of the circulatory carriageway. Some geometry improvements and partial full-time signalisation.
- Pont Ebbw – adjustments to the circulatory carriageway to balance and manage flows and introduction of links for the A48 east and westbound. The roundabout and all approaches have been signalised.
- M4 J28 – extension of circulatory carriageway, provision of additional lanes and segregating islands and a through link for the M4 to / from Newport.
It is thought that despite some initial ‘teething’ and settling down type issues for drivers due to some unusual layouts, the junctions will provide some longer-term time savings to drivers.
