Local businesses have been forced to close and buses have been suspended as roadways in East Cowes are in almost complete gridlock this morning following a ‘perfect storm scenario’.
Several sets of roadworks are now underway in the town, including the York Avenue resurfacing program which has seen motorists diverted through irregular routes. In the latest development, Clarence Road – one of the main streets used in the diversion – has had to be closed to facilitate the urgent repair of a burst water main.
Motorists are subsequently being diverted via Old Road at the present time – including all of the ferry traffic.
In a further twist of bad luck, Red Funnel has been experiencing technical issues on its vehicle ferry service between East Cowes and Southampton this morning, resulting in several cancelled ferry departures resulting in many passengers and their vehicles being ‘stacked’ from the operator’s marshalling yard and onto the road network.
The service is expected to run with delays of 9 hours for the foreseeable future, as reported by Island Echo.
To top the situation off, it is also the town’s refuse collection day.
As a result of these issues combined, traffic in the town is struggling to move freely, with motorists backed up on the open segment of York Avenue, in the town’s 1 way system, and traffic on Old Road at a standstill.
Several local businesses have commented that they will remain closed today due to there being ‘no point’ in opening, as potential customers would be unable to head to their shops due to the traffic.
Concerns have also been raised by residents about the potential for emergency services to be unable to access the scene of an incident due to the traffic backlog and blocked roads.
Southern Vectis has announced that the Route 4 service has been suspended as a result of the traffic, and significant delays to their Route 5 service. Additional buses are being put on to Route 5 on a ‘best endeavors’ basis. Passengers wishing to travel between Ryde and East Cowes will need to catch a Route 9 bus and change in Newport for a Route 5 bus.
It’s understood that local councillor, Councillor Karl Love, has been spotted by local residents along the roads helping to direct traffic in the rain.
There has been no update from Island Roads regarding the current bedlam, but Island Echo has approached the contractor for a comment.
UPDATE @ 11:25 – Southern Vectis has announced that a modified Route 4 service will now run between Ryde and Osborne House only. The service will not service East Cowes Town.
UPDATE @ 14:29 – Island Roads has issued an update on the current situation and revealed that it is working with Red Funnel and Southern Water. You can read more here.
UPDATE @ 16:05 – Red Funnel has announced that its Red Eagle will be brought back into service. It is hoped that this move will help ease traffic queues in East Cowes. It’s also understood that Clarence Road will reopen shortly following the repair of a burst water main.
I have lost count of how many times Red Funnel & Wightlink have had breakdowns this year and it’s not even the main holiday season yet, what a shambles of a service and what better advert could you have for not holidaying on the Isle Of Wight.
Doing their bit to Covid off the Island.
Between Island Roads and Red Funnel, they have a lot to answer to.
Totally ruining East Cowes
Old Road is gridlocked back to Albert Cottage and no doubt beyond.
Oh, and the Bin Men are due down Old Road soon…. Armageddon is coming.
So the traffic coming into East Cowes crosses over the traffic leaving in two places at the top of Victoria Grove and down around Waitrose/Red Funnel terminal. No wonder you then get the conditions you have got now. Traffic coming in should go via Victoria Grove and out by Old Road.
If the isle of wight does one thing well……….
What are the NHS doing about all those people having to travel to the mainland for essential treatment and consultations. The pathetic ferry situation is obviously not of their making but the fact that people have to go to the mainland is. It highlights the serious shortcomings of the Island health service
Island Roads must temporarily open the closed roads. They must have limited usability, with care and direction.
mr Love directing traffic wtf is going on, traffic management courses for island roads management is surely on the cards along with a few other courses wouldn’t go amiss either .
Make it one way in and one way out ,big circle traffic sorted !
And this is a standard Friday in June. Imagine if it was mid summer holidays.
Can’t drivers use the chain ferry to access the town ?
Imagine what it would have been like if the festival had still been on this weekend. Red funnel and Wightlink are useless, and have been for years, it’s time for a fixed link
I for one cannot believe that Island Roads are taking
so long to do whatever it is they are doing with York Avenue absolutely disgraceful