Motorists face significant travel disruption next month when part of the main A3056 between Newport and Sandown closes for 2 weeks for bus stop improvements, forcing traffic onto a lengthy diversion.
Bus stops will be upgraded by Island Roads as part of the Isle of Wight Council’s work to make the Island’s public transport network safer and more accessible. The project also involves lining adjustments, footway construction works and alterations to speed limits.
The improvements have been funded by the Department for Transport as part of its Safer Roads programme, with Island Roads responsible for delivering the scheme.
Bus stops on A3056 Sandown Road, Arreton outside Pyle Cottages and Newbarn Business Park, will be upgraded by increasing the hard-standing areas so passengers can use services more safely.
The work will begin on Monday 7th September. It is scheduled to last 2 weeks, and while the programme can be subject to change due to factors such as bad weather and unexpected ground conditions, every effort will be made to complete the work sooner if possible.
During the works, it will be necessary to close the road to ensure the safety of the workforce, with traffic diverted via Arreton, Apse Heath, Godshill, Rookley and Blackwater. Island Roads will aim to re-open the road at weekends if it is safe to do so, however, depending on the progress of the works, traffic lights may need to remain on site.
Island Roads has already met with affected businesses and residents to discuss the work and consider measures that will reduce the impact on them. Local elected members have also been briefed.
Michelle Love, Isle of Wight Council Service Director for Highways and Community Protection, said:
“With bus transport being such an important part of our public transport network, we are delighted to be able to invest this grant money in making these bus stops along this busy route both safer and more accessible to use.
“If we are to reduce car usage then the bus network has to be easy to use which is why we are making these improvements that will bring benefits to residents, businesses and tourists.”
An Island Roads spokesperson said:
“We are pleased to be working with the council to deliver these important improvements. We understand that during the works motorists will have to use an alternative route and we thank them in advance for their understanding.
“Hopefully any short-term disruption will be offset by the benefits that making it easier and safer for bus users to get around will bring.”
No need to close the road. How ridiculous
Can we have some comments from the “Local elected members” who have “also been briefed.”?
2 Weeks to essentially install 2 concrete pads. Utterly ridiculous. It’s not like there are hordes of people using it anyway.
So very significant diversions for buses for a couple of weeks while they tinker with a few bus stops..oh the irony of it all.
I’m one of the local residents who hasn’t been briefed apart from a generic letter. I have contacted Island Roads for plans of what is planned to be carried out especially as it is very close to our property. But they say they can’t release details to me of the plans???
The mask has slipped – “if we are to reduce car usage…” There you have it, the road closure is all about deliberately inconveniencing drivers to pursue the demented anti-car agenda that now infests local and national government. ‘Service Director for Highways and Community Protection’ – I wonder how many residents on minimum wage have their council tax swallowed up to pay for that? Justify your fancy job title and get Bath Road open again, or is that parked in the ‘too hard’ file? Idiot.
Very well said.
There are so many bus stops on the island in UNSAFE
locations.
Many of the bus stops need a pull in.
Look at the bus stop along Beaper Shute the bus just STOPS
in the middle of the road “SHOCKING” cut a few trees down and
the bus can pull into a safe place to pick up and drop off
passengers.
Also look at Lake High Street the Buses Stop outside the old
cinema and cause unnesseccary traffic congestion, move the
bus stop a few yards up the road where there is a pull in
near the toilet block.
Also look at Melville Street. 2 Bus stops and when the buses
stop NO VEHICLE CAN PASS DUE TO VEHICLES BEING PARKED
OPPOSITE THE BUS STOPS.
Double Yellow Lines / NO Parking needs to be opposite the
Bus stops.
ROAD SAFETY ON THE ISLAND IS SHOCKING.
I drive around the island most days and from what I see day in
day out is EMBARRASSING.
Who ever is responsible for Road safety on the island needs to look at these locations I have mentioned. I could name more but I only have half hour for my lunch.
I WON’T BOTHER MENTIONING ALLOWING VEHICLES TO EVADE PAYING PARKING CHARGES BY LETTING VEHICLES PARK ON THE
PAVEMENT OUTSIDE THE OLD TOURIST INFORMATION CENTRE OPPOSITE SANDOWN PIER INSIDE A PEDESTRIANISED ZONE!
Because the clueless SO called authorities ALLOW SUCH TO HAPPEN
IF A PEDESTRIAN GETS RUN OVER AT THIS LOCATION DON’T SAY YOU
WEREN’T WARNED.
How many more times are you going to change your user name?
E.I.E may make a comeback soon.
I thought I would have a change
another Numpty copied my Enough is Enough
name.
wasn’t this road (well perhaps the next bit along, towards lake) closed recently for southern water,….
Why the f**k could IR not have done this work at the same time…
Talk about lack of a brain cell between the lot of them…
Just how many people use these bus stops??
What about the people that live on merstone lane and people that work down there and don’t drive.