Blue Ribbon Roundabout Improvements

Fitzgerald Contractors have completed a significant highway improvement scheme at the iconic Blue Ribbon Roundabout in Coventry. Awarded through the Crown Commercial Services Framework, the improvements will help promote active travel by improving traffic flow and providing better and safer pedestrian and cycle routes through the junction.

A city landmark, the Blue Ribbon Roundabout forms the junction between Foleshill Road and the A444 Jimmy Hill Way. It is a unique and well-known icon in Coventry due to its swirling blue ribbon sculpture, which represents Foleshill’s once thriving ribbon weaving industry in the 18th and 19th centuries.

The £1.9m scheme saw the following improvements made:

· Refurbishment of existing surface course on the island.

· Installation of new signalised crossings across the roundabout, including associated infrastructure and removal of existing signal crossings.

· Construction of LTN 1/20 segregated cycleways.

· Amendments to the existing splitter islands.

· Removal of existing, and installation of new, vehicle restraint and anti-glare systems.

· Site clearance of fence lines, kerbings, barriers, existing signalling, footways and cycleways.

· Road marking amendments.

Forming part of wider plans to improve the active travel connection between Coventry city centre and the Blue Ribbon roundabout, these improvements will have a major impact on safety for pedestrians and cyclists. The scheme also contributes to the Foleshill Transport Package, a set of improvements to reduce the level of through traffic on Foleshill Road and encourage greater levels of active travel.

Cllr Jim O’Boyle, Coventry City Council’s cabinet member for jobs, regeneration and climate change, said: “Foleshill Road is a thriving street with a true community feel. But for too long it has felt the weight of too much traffic. We want to make it easier for people to walk and cycle. Swapping the car for shorter journeys is good for health and wellbeing, good for the air we breathe and, of course, as our segregated cycle ways begin to connect up, an excellent way to travel to work or school.”

To ensure the improvements went smoothly, Fitzgerald worked collaboratively with the Highways Team at the City Council to agree traffic management plans and phasing. Works were undertaken in multiple phases across days and nights to ensure traffic flows were always maintained and there was minimal disruption to the travelling public.

We also worked with our supply chain to install the innovative Tac Grid tactile system, including embedded beacon technology, at crossing points. This ‘talking’ beacon informs users of the location and type of the crossing by the use of a free app, assisting all pedestrians, including those with a visual impairment, to safely navigate the crossings.

Fitzgerald is proud to have worked collaboratively with Coventry City Council and our supply chain to help deliver these improvements, recognising the part they will play in helping the Council to achieve its goals to tackle climate change, provide better and safer walking and cycling transport links, and prevent road traffic accidents.