The diversion route for upcoming water main replacement works along Elenors Grove near Ryde has now been confirmed, with Southern Water advising that a one-way system will be in place for approximately 3 months from early February.
Southern Water, in partnership with Clancy, will begin a major infrastructure project to replace 500m of ageing water mains and connections along Elenors Grove – between Binstead and Fishbourne – from Monday 2nd February.
The upgrade aims to reduce leaks, improve water pressure and install more reliable infrastructure, with completion expected by late April 2026.
During the works, Elenors Grove will operate as a one-way system with no access towards Ryde. A signed diversion will be in place, with routes agreed in conjunction with Island Roads. Buses and emergency vehicles will continue to access the road under manual traffic light control.
All traffic heading towards Ryde will have to divert via Wootton and Briddlesford Road; light traffic can divert via The Downs and Ashey, whilst HGVs will be diverted via Arreton, Lake and Brading to reach Ryde.
For those leaving Ryde, it will be business as usual via the main road – albeit with traffic lights at the works site.
Traffic in the Binstead estate has already been impacted by the current closure of Binstead Road for separate works by Island Roads. While those works are due to finish before the Elenors Grove scheme begins, disruption in the area is expected to continue through April. Further impacts are likely when Binstead Road closes again later in the Spring to allow those works to resume.
Southern Water says customers directly affected by supply interruptions will receive at least 48 hours’ notice, with any disruption expected to last no more than 4 hours.
Work will take place between 07:30 and 17:00, Monday to Friday but the road will remain a one-way system at all time. No weekend or bank holiday works are currently planned, although this may change depending on weather or daylight conditions.
Residents are reminded that Firestone Copse Road is not an approved diversion route due to its narrow layout and unsuitability for HGVs and through traffic. Drivers are urged to follow the official signed diversion to reduce the risk of accidents and congestion.
A nightmare in the making, such works should be
carried out 24/7 / 7 days a week therefore
completing the works in half the time.
Roll on Easter
Ah, that’s normal thinking. You have to factor in the brain dead Council factor.
So true, they couldn’t organise a piss up in a brewery.
I hope the new main is under the grassy area when possible otherwise w e will get t another road closure in 6 months time for road repairs.
“Residents are reminded that Firestone Copse Road is not an approved diversion route due to its narrow layout and unsuitability for HGVs and through traffic.”
This is the official get out clause when serious accidents and incidents will almost certainly occur as this is the most logical route to take to avoid the long “official” diversion.
People – and Sat Navs – will take the Firestone Copse Road, then Newnham Road, (or worst still the shorter route of Newnham Lane), to get to the top of Binstead Hill.
As with the present Binstead Road roadworks fiasco, it would almost have been better to have two different routes in and out of Ryde, with having the Firestone Copse Road as a one way route to avoid the obvious accidents and incidents involving high sided vehicles trying to use the narrow and low clearance tree lined Firestone Copse Road.
Would it not have made more sense to physically close Firestone Copse Road except for residents? might upset a few dog walkers but it would stop the obvious chaos & accidents.
If you are driving from Wightlink’s Fishbourne Terminal does it mean you cannot turn left at the traffic lights towards Ryde/Binstead?
Correct ! What a lovely welcome to visitors to the Island arriving by Wightlink who don’t know the local roads. Just imagine a mainland visitor who just wants to go to Binstead will be directed right and sent towards Wootton and all around the diversion route rather than just going 1 mile up the road from Fishbourne Lane if they could have turned left.
Total chaos to ensue !
Dave, thanks for letting me know. I wasn’t sure whether Eleanor’s Grove included the piece of road to the left of the traffic lights, or the one to the right towards Kites Hill, or both.
Access to Wightlink @ Fishbourne?
It’s a nightmare, it’s easier to get the Hover to Pompey and
hire a car or take a coach or train.
I cannot be asked with island roadworks, whoever places the
signs needs to go to Specsavers.
Another Island Roads Numpty, come back Mountjoy
all is forgiven.
If the hover etc is running ofc
Can’t wait for the 4 months of hell Cowes/Newport Pallance road/Northwood has to put up with..thanks southern water…
Who goes to Northwood!, Numptyville.
The Island is constantly blighted by roadworks, (if only). Which are often left in place with traffic lights awaiting the hole to be filled, days later.
The very expensive IOW council, apparently has no one responsible to insist work is carried out to minimise disruption.
I know its f##king mental, I love waiting at temporary traffic lights, then finally get there and there is not one workman to be seen. And as you say the bloody lights can be there for day, guarding a lonely pile of rubble.
Main roads should be a priority to get open. This blasé six hours on site, on s good day, is a complete windup, let’s have some 12 hour shifts to get it done please
Utterly insane. Why can these cretins not understand that doing it this way round causes unnecessary conflicting movements?
I wouldn’t mind all these works being carried out
if the numpties were installing speed cameras and
installing speed humps.
No evening or weekend work planned! They should be working 24/7 to get it done as soon as possible, this is enormous disruption to one of the busiest roads on the island, now we have to go over the bloody downs to get back to Ryde from Wootton. Insanity!