Brading residents say they have been left stranded and increasingly concerned for their safety over the closure of New Road for the whole of February, with no bus provision in place.
Locals have described the situation as ‘intolerable’, with schoolchildren, elderly residents and those with medical needs now facing long, unsafe journeys on foot.
Southern Vectis has confirmed that no temporary shuttle service will be provided, despite widespread calls for urgent action.
Children are reportedly having to walk miles in the dark along unlit, unpaved and waterlogged routes to reach bus stops. One resident told Island Echo her 12-year-old grandson was expected to walk home at 17:50 in full dark school uniform after being dropped far from home. Another witnessed 2 very young girls walking with only phone torches for light.
A mother-of-3 is also said to be making the same journey daily to get her eldest to school, with no viable alternative available.
Residents say those who do not drive – including many elderly people and low-income families – are now effectively cut off from shops, work, healthcare and essential appointments. The closure of Brading’s GP surgery several years ago means most people must now travel to Ryde, Sandown or St Helens to access medical care.
Southern Vectis says it cannot offer a shuttle due to other diversions across the Isle of Wight. However, locals argue that the route from Brading Church to Tesco in Ryde remains open and suitable for use.
Amid growing pressure, Isle of Wight East MP Joe Robertson has written to both Island Roads and Southern Vectis, calling for immediate action and stating there is ‘no good reason’ why buses cannot continue serving Brading during the works.
Joe Robertson MP has said:
“I see no good reason why buses cannot go in and out of Brading just because New Road is closed.
“The town centre is open and accessible from the Ryde and Downs directions. The closure will last a whole month. Island Roads and Southern Vectis need to resolve it this week.”
In his letter, he warned the closure would have a ‘profound impact’ on people with limited mobility and medical needs, and said many are now ‘severely restricted from accessing essential healthcare’.
Joe should also be writing to IWCC pointing out their legal obligations to minimise disruption, properly consult ALL affected parties and mitigate their concerns.
Island roads may be the contractors under the PFI but the legal obligation remains with IWCC.
He might also point out their potential liability should someone suffer harm because an emergency vehicle was unnecessarily delayed as a result of these works.
Unfortunately, I suspect that all concerned will probably drag their heels and the works will be complete by the time any real action might have been taken.
Joe should be addressing the speeding issue on the
Island, maybe he goes around with rose tinted glasses.
20mph is plenty it works well in the big smoke
it might work in a city,.. but its a totally different situation in a rural setting like the Isle of Wight.
you incessantly keep banking on about your belief that 20 is plenty, but really don’t have a clue about the reality of it.
Please stop!
Due to numpties speeding in rural areas
20mph would make rural settings safe.
The island is practically in Lockdown.
All you need is a speeding numpty causing an
accident in Yaverland or on the Downs
We will have total Lockdown.
Shocking.
Couldn’t organise a p*ss up in a brewery!
Get the train then, it’s not rocket science! It was interrupted yesterday by the flooding but it’s working again now.
You can get the train but the train doesn’t go to Tesco does it
Walk from St Johns it ain’t far.
Not everyone is capable of walking to the trains station because of age or disabilities!!
Get a taxi or bus
But you can’t guarantee that’s running either they drop services at drop of hat,or lack of drivers which seems to be the excuse at moment I rely on train for work and so far already this year it’s been off more than it’s been on!!!
Bob doesn’t live in Brading
Bob doesn’t understand local issues.
Bob can’t read a map
Bob has his head stuck so far up his own a4se he can eat his breakfast again!
Yeah the train to Tesco’s or the surgeries or the hospital
There were no trains running throughout Monday; the first day of New Rd’s closure!
Pathetic months of this shit same in cowes northwood newport.
Seaview is ok.
Lol
Do not understand why so many road closures happen ALL at the same time? Maybe someone should plan things a little better?
In an office somewhere is a person with a map, obviously they never leave this room and see the total and utter chaos they are causing.
The so calleded council shrug their shoulders and pass the buck to IR, they couldn’t care less so long as they get the filthy lucre.
I thought it was law to allow or make some kind of access for residents and businesses .
Unless it was life threatening works then temporary traffic lights to keep one side open should be in place especially with the kind of weather we have been happening.
Let’s hope they get on with it ASAP and not spend time smoking , talking or on their mobile phones
i agree with bob train sainsburys union st is good
Why are roads nearly always closed on the island for roadworks?
As I understand, this is often the case on the IW due to the width of carriageway, our ‘A’ roads are considerably narrower than on the mainland. The safe working area for contractors and plant is often more than 50% of both lanes of the carriageway on the IW which makes works unsuitable for traffic lights. This, I believe is set by HSE and is for the safety of contractors, pedestrians alike. However, residents being cut off is unacceptable and the necessary arrangements needed, should be addressed by the powers to be and implemented to minimise disruption for Brading residents.
if they are going to close the roads for the reasons you outline, or even make them one-way, with 20+ mile diversions,.. they should, at least, have to work 24/7 until the job is complete,.. instead of working just a few hours a day !!
Don’t make me laugh
Island Roads work 24/7
Shirk 24/7 more like.
The question you all should be asking as I have is, what are all these roadworks for ? I’ve had several conflicting answers so far. a.i facial recognition, digital I.d ring any bells?? Check out china’s social credit score system, who sends a lot of time in China & talks like a dalek