The cycle path between Alverstone and Sandown could be closed for several months to allow Southern Water to undertake important works relating to the Sandown treatment plant.
Local authority officials have said that they are liaising with Southern Water to minimise the impact of the works, especially given that the cycle path has only just re-opened after a long closure.
According to the Isle of Wight Council, the water board is planning to carry out works to a water intake at the Sandown treatment plant and, as a result, have said they will need to close the cycle track between Alverstone and Sandown for safety purposes. Indications are that this may be for ‘some months’.
It’s unclear if this is related to the recent sewage pipe failure at Ryde.
The Isle of Wight Council is anxious to ensure that the popular route is accessible to riders and walkers as soon as possible.
Southern Water has certain legal powers to undertake works on the highway and has to carry out such works in a safe manner, so might need to close roads and paths to do so. The council is currently seeking further information from Southern Water to clarify the situation.
Surely this is unnecessary? Many get a lot of use from this path. Saving on car trips, and good for exercise in the muddy day we have much of the year.
Don’t you realise that the whole economy of our island relies on closing roads/paths/railways etc to do simple jobs? It needs at least 30 people working 40 hours a week for at least 18 months BEFORE work even starts. This time is spent doing endless pointless reports, costing out EVERY minute, doing Health and Safety reports for absolutely EVERY aspect of the work, which includes 4 week training courses for the correct way to lean on a shovel! They have to work out exclusion zones of up to 1000m in case a member of the public gets a speck of dust in their eyes. They have 6 week courses on how to tick a clipboard and stand around in groups etc
Tut tut common sense…. stand around in socially distanced groups and must hold at least seven snowflake awareness courses in case a three year old, with anxiety issues, happens to notice that a leaf has changed position somewhere in the vacinity of the footpath and has a melt down.
Yes thanks not a lot southern water!
Gosh, you mean we can walk our dogs and children without a speeding cyclist for months, heaven.