Local business owners have been left angered by the decision to grant permission to shut part of Westhill Lane near Yarmouth preventing access to Fort Victoria during the start of the Easter holidays.
The closure, required as part of a scheme to provide full-fibre broadband across the Island, will come into force just as the tourist trade starts again for the 2023 season.
With no vehicular access and only limited timed pedestrian access, this decision may prove disastrous for local businesses based at Fort Victoria.
The 4 businesses that operate from Fort Victoria – the Reptilarium, Fort Victoria Museum and Gift shop, The Planetarium, The Imaginarium and Cafe Verdi – all fear they may lose thousands in lost revenue over the coming Easter period.
The businesses have invited Wightfibre and the Isle of Wight Council to a meeting to explain why a hard closure to Fort Victoria is necessary to simply install a fibre-optic cable, and why it has to be done at this critical time of year.
So far the only communication received is from Island Roads, with a suggestion that they may ask Wight Fibre to reschedule their works in the area.
Charlotte Anderson from The Imaginarium has told Island Echo:
“Families who enjoyed the numerous activities and time spent at the Fort over the Halloween half term were very much looking forward to visiting again for Easter. But if the Isle of Wight Council have their way, then there will be no special Easter fun for anyone at Fort Victoria and it puts these attractions into jeopardy and financial strife.
Article continues below this advertisement “This latest insult just adds to an ongoing list of hits that the council are inflicting. From removing refuse and recycling bins, leaving public toilets weeks between cleaning and refilling toilet paper, threatening to change the free car park to a paid-for one, to insisting that the business pay for the upkeep and maintenance of the defibrillator. This is just another way that shows the council really only care for what is in their own pockets, and nothing to do with the upkeep and maintenance of such an iconic, important historic fort.
“Fort Victoria, its businesses and attractions have long struggled with any form of support both from the Isle of Wight Council and Isle of Wight Tourism, and with such a wide range of things on offer, it appears that we have simply fallen off the map altogether in their eyes.”
Green Party member Vix Lowthion has thrown her support behind the local businesses, writing to both Island Roads and Wight Fibre calling for them to urgently reschedule the works.
UPDATE @ 15:03 – It has been confirmed that the works will now be completed before the Easter holidays.
A spokesperson for Island Roads has said:
“After concerns were raised regarding the road closure of Westhill Lane, all parties have worked together and reached an agreement to bring forward the works, which will now finish on March 31 before the start of the Easter holidays.
“It should be noted that as a utility company, WightFibre has a legal right to undertake work on the highway to upgrade the Island’s broadband infrastructure.
“Island Roads cannot prevent this work. Our role is to seek to minimise disruption on the network.
“We are pleased we have been able to reach an agreement over an acceptable programme of works on this occasion.”
UPDATE @ 15:56 – In a statement, a spokesperson for WightFibre has said:
“WightFibre would like to assure you that we will work with our civil engineering contractors, Island Roads and the Isle of Wight Council to keep disruption to the minimum and although the duration is as stated we will endeavour to complete the works as quickly as possible.
“The intent of these letters is to start a dialogue with all parties affected and we invite anyone to contact us if they have any concerns with the information so that we can work together on a solution. There has been an overwhelming response from business owners and the community in the last few days in response to our advance notice of work, especially around the proposed road closure over the Easter school holidays, a very busy tourism period.
“We have had favourable meetings with the Isle of Wight Council and Island Roads and together have come up with a proposal to complete the required work by 31 March 2023, just in time for the Easter Holidaymakers and locals to enjoy their usual trips to Fort Victoria and all the local businesses they support. At the time of writing this, the Isle of Wight Council have not been able to get a hold of Fort Victoria yet to give them the great news, but we hope that will be possible in due course. WightFibre will also issue updated letters to all the properties in Westhill Lane to give them the updated information.
“We would like to apologise for any inconvenience this has caused anyone following the vast number of posts on social media since Saturday and we hope that everyone will enjoy their trips to Fort Victoria as planned over the Easter school holidays”.
What a stupid idea ,typical wightfibre ,dont give a monkeys about what hassle they are causing !!!!
Typical again of Isle of Wight Council, businesses have to pay rates and stupid tourist tax to encourage tourists over, then the tourist is hit with greedy and exceptionally high ferry fares ( cheaper to go France or Belgium) then when get here most attractions and shops closed or very expensive like Tapnell Farm. No good Fyber if no customers at end to use or connect. Why does IWC think and consider things?.
Typical F you attitude of the council.
They will still expect their business rates, and rent in full from the affected businesses no doubt.
Where the hell is the pit that these idiots come from? Total lunacy. Get rid of them, WF and IWC. Not clue, the lot of them .
Oh good grief. That useless idiot firm still causing problems??
Wightfibre aren’t any better either.
If they polled all the residents/businesses, I doubt any would willingly take up the grossly overpriced fibre .
My God will this ever end ???
It is disgusting this shyte firm can threaten the livelihoods of those people at Fort Victoria, they are struggling to cope with the extortionate energy cost and trying to support their families so these cretins want to close access during the first busy part of the year, this unwanted chaos should be done in the winter out of the holiday season.
While we are talking about Fort Victoria.
Its a dump.
There is nothing there.
I hate to think what visitors think when they arrive at that place.
The toilets are disgusting too.
Its so rundown.
The old Pier is an absolute eyesore.
But that’s way Isle of Wight council has created this ,they would rather purchase a few more electric cars for staff.
Apart from the Reptilarium, Planetarium, Museum, Gift Shops, Imaginarium, Cafe, Picnic area, BBQ Area, 50 acres of woodland and natural coastline…. have you been lately? its far from a dump.
What a sad and pathetic person you are, there are people there who have, within the constraints of what you can or cannot do with a grade 1 or 2 protected building, made the place as attractive as possible.
They are doing something you are probably unfamiliar with, namely working hard to make a living instead of leeching on benefits but based on your comments i doubt they would be bothered if you never visited.
Sometimes nothing is exactly what you want. Just enjoy the beauty of nature and unwind. I guess you don’t appreciate such things.
What about overhead cable/fibre or microwave link like Arreton?
Who thinks up this sh*t in the council? Is it a deliberate ploy to drive businesses into the ground or what, just as they about to open for the Easter season. I bet it would not be happening if any of the councilors had a business down there eh?
Or if it were tapnell farm, needles, blackgang chine or robin hill.
Common sense 10
WF / IWC / IR. 0
Couldn’t agree more.They all blame each other for the chaos they cause all over the Island. The management of our roads is an utter disgrace.
Does this legal right, come with no accountability?
Surely the IOW councillor responsible for Highways, should be able to ask for a more considerate approach.
The IOW Council. One of the worst councils in the UK.
Yeah, and the dearest council tax
So if Wightfibre are now free over Easter they could come back to Niton and finish their work here which they started months ago and left it incomplete.
Fort Victoria is one of the Island’s jewels. Beautiful walks, either through the woods(with wonderful views) or along the beach in either direction. One can just sit by the sea enjoying the views and the activity on the water for hours. Great place for a picnic, or barbecues are available for get togethers. The free car park is a bonus too. The businesses there are well worth a visit as well. One can easily spend an entire day there enjoying the surroundings and facilities. Also it’s dog friendly all year round. Don’t knock it, try it.