Island Roads says that the closure of Newport’s dual carriageway on Sunday morning is for planned grass cutting, not to disrupt those heading to this year’s IOW Takeover event – for the second year in a row. Eyebrows were raised earlier this week when it emerged Medina Way would be closed both northbound and southbound this coming Sunday – at the exact time hundreds of car enthusiasts descend on the County Showground at Northwood for this year’s Takeover event. It means that instead of travelling straight up the dual carriageway – at a maximum speed of 70mph – all vehicles will have to divert via Hunnycross Way and Hunnyhill. The same thing happened last year too, sparking questions as to whether the closure has ulterior motives. One social commenter has said
“Surprise surprise they’re doing what they can to make it awkward again”.
Another adds:
“Can they make it look anymore obvious. was shut last year aswell, funny that”.
Island Roads has not changed the planned grass cutting, despite knowing about the large event, nor has it gone as far to categorically state that the closure isn’t to deter fast driving. Instead, a spokesperson for Island Roads has said that the works on Sunday are part of a planned, annual highway maintenance programme – which could presumably be rescheduled to another Sunday morning. The spokesperson has said:
“The works will require a short road closure of much of Medina Way. The closed sections will be northbound from the slip road to Lidl roundabout and southbound from St Mary’s junction. “We recognise that this is a busy road so we are undertaking the work between 6am and 10am on Sunday morning which will have the least impact to traffic flows. “A very short diversion will be in place during the work so traffic can travel to Cowes via The Lidl Roundabout, Hunnycross Way and Hunnyhill. Traffic travelling from Cowes can use the Riverway Industrial Estate and re-join Medina Way at the slip road by Currys. “Naturally we have no wish to disrupt any events and will be pleased to ensure this work – and the diversion that will be in place – will be publicised in advance. Medina Way will be fully open as usual from 10am on Sunday”.
Cars are expected to arrive at County Showground from 07:00, with all vehicles to be in place by 09:00. The gates open to the public at 10:00.
Least it will stop them racing to the show already heard far too much popping and banging going on
They should do it 5am to cause less disruption. I’m sure if they want to look like they’re listening to the voters of the island they will sort it!!
Anyway, what happened to “No Mow May”?
I’ve been saying for ages that IR do this deliberately, always to inconvenience people, hurt businesses or create chaos
Utter shambolic planning again. And people wonder why we don’t attract as many visitors to the Island as we used to do. It’s because of idiocy like this, that’s why.
I love to see the island doing their bit for the climate
King Charlie will not be amused.
He is the climate King in case the island don”t know, net zero is the Goal
obviously not on the Isle of Wight
Lol
How more blatant can you get. If you k ow there is an event on, why not do the right thing and differ it for 1 weekend. Furthermore, the amount of extra pollution the highways team are now going to cause because traffic will have to accelerate and decelerate far more frequently will no doubt effect the air quality of the surrounding area. Well done highways… well done…
A perfect opportunity for the police to stop and check for vehicle insurance, unlicensed modifications, noise levels etc, everyone complying with the rules and regulations have nothing to worry about, look at it as a free safety check.
For once Island Roads have done a great thing….
I really don’t think Island Roads have the capacity to plan…… anything.
It’s just “Go ahead and get it done they will just have to get over it”
Yeah great , for the second year in a row residents of Hunnyhill will be woken by the roar of 200 cars going past their houses , thanks island roads .
In fact the event organizer has asked all people going to the event to use the industrial estate to divert rather than going via hunny hill for this reason, They have even sent out maps to show the diversion they want everyone to take
This is to suppose that the drivers concerned a) care and b) can read.
The isle of Wight is not green and they encourage stupid B’stards to
Speed.
Wait until the WEF stops stupid B’stards driving.
If it looks like a duck…
I thought the council were backing no mow May! Not to cause unnecessary disruption.
Note to all participants in the take over: kindly refrain from The dumb-fuckery exhibited last year, driving foot hard down in a 20mph zone in the west wight.
I’m a petrolhead, but come on, a time and place people.
We recognise that this is a busy road so we are undertaking the work between 6am and 10am on Sunday morning which will have the least impact to traffic flows. Rubbish, then why not do it earlier or after 20-00hrs, it’s all street lights. But thought it was no mow May anyhow? . If it’s to reduce racing from car’s? Just say so.
There’s a car show on at Havenstreet on Sunday as well ! Yes, well planned Island Roads !!! – NOT !!!
Once is coincidence, twice not so much.
Possibly they want to limit speeds but can’t legally do it – hence the “coincidental” verge trimming.
I doubt they’d get away with it doing something similar again next year though.
If the road closure is that “essential” and have to divert, then why not divert along the industrial estate, rather then up hunnyhill as disrupting local residents?? Surely that would make more sense…..
Typical Island Roads, what else do you expect
Island Roads are useless, in Pompey we had Colas,
much more organised than the Island Roads clowns.