Residents and commuters in East Cowes are in a state of gridlock as motorists struggle with diversions and the volume of traffic this afternoon (Friday).
It comes as those living locally have slammed works being undertaken as part of a 4 phase plan to upgrade areas of the town’s road network.
Motorists are being diverted through several smaller residential roads to allow teams to resurface York Avenue – the main road in to and out of town.
Due to the lengthy delays being faced by those travelling in to and out of the town, including those travelling to the Red Funnel Ferry terminal, Southern Vectis has made the decision to scrap several of its Route 4 services that were due to head into the town this afternoon.
Passengers travelling between Ryde and East Cowes will need to take a Route 9 into Newport followed by a Route 5 into East Cowes, according to the bus operators Twitter feed.
Route 4
The 12:50 Route 4 from Ryde to East Cowes and the 13:20 from East Cowes to Ryde will not operate owing to the difficulties in Yarborough Road. Anyone that needs Ryde will need to catch the 5 to Newport and transfer to a 9. <S.J>— Southern Vectis (@SouthernVectis) May 21, 2021
UPDATED @ 15:46 – Southern Vectis has announced further cancellations to its Route 4 service. The 15:50 departure from Ryde to East Cowes and the return 16:20 from East Cowes to Ryde will not operate due to traffic issues within the town.
UPDATED @ 16:23 – Island Roads says its crews are on scene in East Cowes and manually operating the traffic lights in order to keep traffic moving – and will remain doing so until traffic volumes return to normal.
Usual chaos by island roads. Note the finish date has gone back to 24 June.
Well past the time we got rid of the wallies, for ever.
Piss Poor Planning Promotes Piss Poor Performance.
Are Island Roads working at nigh? If not, it is obvious that they should be.
I know it’s not ideal, especially for residents who are right on the main road, why don’t Island Roads work during the night? Much less traffic then.
What a joke, the utilities once again taking the piss.
40 mins sitting there in Clarence Road, Island Roads said they had stopped all traffic at the lights to help Red Funnel!
Was the transport and infrastructure man there? We all know him, Ian Ward
I’m glad we moved from E.C to West Wight, this story is reading like a nightmare. I bet the residents of Yarbrough Road are enjoying it. Surely the logistics could have been worked out better by Island Roads? East Cowes is now a prime example of how a council can bring a town to it’s knees, how much more can it take?