Residents living on the former prison estates in Newport are finally set to see long-awaited improvements to their roads and pavements, with contractors appointed to tackle decades of deterioration across Camp Hill, Albany and Parkhurst.
The Isle of Wight Council has confirmed that Crown Park has been appointed to carry out a major programme of highway improvements, with work expected to begin before the end of 2026.
A total of 19 roads are set to benefit from the scheme, which will include road reconstruction, resurfacing, pothole repairs, drainage improvements and pavement maintenance.
The works follow years of concerns from residents about the condition and safety of roads across the estates, some of which were originally built by prisoners in the early 1900s.
The project has been made possible following an agreement between the Isle of Wight Council and the Ministry of Justice, which saw responsibility for parts of the roads, footpaths and drainage networks transferred to the local authority.
Funding from the Ministry of Justice will cover improvements to 17 roads transferred to the council, alongside 2 main prison access roads which remain under Ministry of Justice ownership.
The council has already replaced and modernised street lighting across the estates, while comprehensive surveys have identified defects requiring further attention.
Some minor repairs have already been completed, but the newly appointed contractor will now undertake more extensive works to address the deteriorating infrastructure.
Improvements will include carriageway reconstruction and resurfacing, repairs to surface water drainage systems, kerbing, pavement maintenance and refreshed road markings.
At least 2 badly deformed sections of road will require complete reconstruction.
Councillor Andrew Garratt, ward councillor for Parkhurst and Hunnyhill, has said:
“It’s taken a long time and a lot of hard work to get to this point after these roads were transferred from the Ministry of Justice to the council. So I’m delighted that residents on these roads will finally get better roads and pavements, as well as other work to put right decades of deterioration.
“I look forward to working with the council and Crown Park as these much-needed works get under way, to ensure that residents are involved as much as possible in how they are carried out.”
The council has confirmed that roads within the estates which remain outside its ownership will not be included in the programme, apart from the 2 main prison access roads.
Michelle Love, Director of Highways and Community Protection at the Isle of Wight Council, has said:
“This is a major step forward in a project that has required comprehensive safety surveys and deliberation.
“These roads, some of which were built by prisoners in the early 1900s, need to be brought up to standard, and we will address concerns from residents by doing so.
“There at least two deformed parts of the road which will be fully reconstructed during these improvements, as we ensure that drivers can travel around the estate safely.”
The programme covers roads across the Camp Hill, Albany, Parkhurst West and Parkhurst East estates.
Roads identified in the council’s announcement include High Road, Old Oak View, Postern Road, Crossways, Quarry View, Standen Avenue North, Albany View and Forest End at Camp Hill.
At Albany, the list includes Argyle Road and sections of Hampshire Crescent, Ulster Crescent and Sherwood Road.
Nicholson Street, Lonsdale Avenue and sections of Rooke Street and Miller Close are listed at Parkhurst West.
Meanwhile, roads named at Parkhurst East include Partridge Road, Hewitt Crescent, Johnson Road, Harris Road, Cookworthy Road, Woolcombe Road and the eastern and western access roads.
Tyler Frankling, Contracts Manager for Crownpark Builders, has said:
“We are proud to be working alongside the Isle of Wight council on the delivery of these improvements across the estates.
“We understand the importance of these works to the local community and look forward to raising the standards of the road network around the area.”
A confirmed start date for the improvements has not yet been announced, although the council expects work to get underway before the end of the year.
Further details will be communicated to residents once the timetable has been finalised.
