Work to reduce flooding and improve the ride quality on a popular section of the Newport to Sandown cycle track at Blackwater has been completed. It means the route between Blackwater Hollow and Birchmore Lane can now be re-opened and that the need for future closures during periods of heavy rainfall should be reduced. The work delivered by Island Roads on behalf of the Isle of Wight Council has seen a 80m section – which is most prone to flooding – raised and resurfaced. By raising the track using free draining material through which rainwater will better be able to percolate, the instances of flooding should be reduced. In addition, a further 540m of the track has been resurfaced. 
The project was originally scheduled to finish on 12th July but the recent dry weather has helped Island Roads crews make good progress. An Island Roads spokesman has said:
“As users of this route will know, during periods of heavy rainfall the track became difficult to use or indeed impassable because adjacent ponds overflowed across it. “This flooding not only made it inaccessible, it also caused damage to a long section. “This work is designed to improve the ride quality along the whole section and also, by increasing the height and improving the drainage at the worst affected area, reduce the amount of time the track is out of use. “We would like to thank users of the track for their patience and co-operation during work and hope they enjoy the improved route.”
“Our investment in this improvement scheme demonstrates the importance we place on active travel for the health and wellbeing of all, as well as our efforts in tackling climate change.”
The route will be one of the first to be visited when Island Roads commences its next round of grass-cutting and verge maintenance later this month.
No no no! This should be turned into a road, why is the council oppressing car drivers?
Yes, yes, yes! … Really? Oppressing car drivers!!! … have you seen how many cars are on the roads? NO ONE is oppressing car drivers… no one!
now can island roads do something with Zig Zag Road, Ventnor it is a nightmare to drive up
Now all they need to do is encourage cyclists to actually use it instead of the Blackwater Valley road.
As long as it allows me to commute to same businesses where I want to go, I’ll always choose the option without the cars!
No, I’ll cycle anywhere I’m legally entitled to thank you, .. responsibly of course.. as always.
You should think about the health and wel being of my car driving on your disgusting pot holed ,loose tarmac so called roads is one hell of a hazard .
drivers are swerving to miss the huge holes ,can’t blame them for that but will soon cause accidents if it hasn’t already
As a regular walker from the midlands l appreciate this work that has been done as l enjoy this walk all year round including winter time
How about fixing the flooding to the west of Alverstone which regularly closes the cycleway in winter
Something positive from Island Roads, that section was terrible.