EAST WIGHT TRAVEL CHAOS AS SEVERAL KEY ROUTES ALL CLOSED

Motorists travelling around the East Wight are facing great difficulty this morning (Wednesday) due to the closure of several key routes including Yarbridge, Ashey Road and Havenstreet. Earlier this week the crossroads junction at Yarbridge was closed due to emergency gas works, as previously reported by Island Echo. This means all vehicles travelling North to South between Ryde and Sandown must divert via Bembridge or Newchurch. Frustratingly, those taking the St Helens and Bembridge diversion have come across delays in St Helens due to temporary traffic lights. Those going the alternative way via Newchurch and Apse Heath have found the closure of Green Lane – between Brading and Ashey – a complexity too. Now, Ashey Road has been closed to all traffic due to emergency water works, described as the installation of a new water connection. The key route, which connects Ryde to Newport as well as Ryde to the South Wight via Newchurch, was unexpectedly shut last night (Tuesday). Island Echo readers last night reported that it was taking around an hour to travel from Ryde to Shanklin.

To make matters worse, the main road through the village of Havenstreet is also closed meaning traffic diverting around the Ashey Road closure cannot do so with ease. It has meant a lot of motorists taking the narrow Rowlands Lane in a bid to get to Newchurch or Downend, without having to go via Wootton. The numerous closures are expected to put additional pressure on the main road between Ryde and Newport via Wootton today, as well as Briddlesford Road, Arreton Cross, Rowlands Lane and Brading Road in Ryde. It is unknown when the works at Yarbridge and Ashey Road will be completed. The works at Green Lane (originally planned to take place 17th-22nd July) will now continue until 2nd August. The works at Havenstreet are due to be completed by Saturday (27th July).