What is happening with the campus roadworks?

The closure of Gibbet Hill Road near the University of Warwick in June 2014, has caused problems for residents and people travelling to campus.

Students however are being reassured that the road works project on campus is scheduled to come to an end soon.

Presently, buses are diverted into central campus by the Students’ Union building before stopping by Library Road but will no longer stop by the gatehouse.

Click for an enlarged map of the campus areas under construction and of the U1 bus routes around campus

Vehicles will be able to enter campus through University Road after Monday 29 September. Meanwhile, Gibbet Hill Road will be closed from the Library Road junction onwards. The road will partially re-open early next month at the northbound lane of Gibbet Hill Road, from Kenilworth to Kirby Corner Road open to all traffic.

Update: Coventry City Council have decided to keep the Gibbet Hill closure until all the roadworks are complete at the end of the month.

Gibbet Hill Road will take longer to finish than originally estimated following a delay in the delivery of some of the materials needed to complete the works. Hence, the southbound lane of Gibbet Hill Road will not be open until early November.

Peter Dunn, head of press and policy at the University of Warwick, stated: “The works will not only help traffic flows around our campus they are also designed to make those routes safer, particularly Gibbet Hill Road.

“The changes are also designed to promote bus travel with a much better bus interchange. There will of course be short-term pain for us all as the works proceed – but that short-term pain will produce significant long-term gain.”

The scheme will include the installation of a new roundabout by the Arts Centre.

This requires realignment of University Road to connect the roundabout and bus interchange, thereby providing an extra two-way entry exit on to main campus from Gibbet Hill Road.

The University will also be installing a new traffic system where there will be more focus on vehicles coming into campus during the morning hours, and in the evening, vehicles coming out.

Other traffic calming measures include raising a granite table next to Radcliffe House and a 20mph speed zone between Benefactors and Scarman House.

Charlie Coe, a second-year History student, said: “I think the roadworks are good because as a driver it is only a minor inconvenience to take a ten minute diversion in order to get to campus. Also the road is now presumably going to be in good condition for many years to come.”

Olly Styles, a second-year Computer Sciences student, was less impressed with the road works. “It is poorly timed,” he added.