Travel hell between Newport and Cowes will return in less than 2 weeks’ time when Horsebridge Hill is made one-way again, as Southern Water begins a major main replacement scheme which will take almost 3 months to complete.
The one-way system will run for nearly 12 weeks from 21:00 on Sunday 25th January until Friday 17th April, forcing traffic heading out of Newport to divert via Forest Road, Whitehouse Road, Rolls Hill and Pallance Road. Only buses, emergency services and winter maintenance vehicles will be exempt.
Temporary 30 and 40mph speed limits will be in force on the diversion route and a 24-hour clearway on Pallance Road. Furthermore, Betty Haunt Lane is going to be closed to improve safety.
The return of disruptive roadworks has already sparked concern, with echoes of the previous traffic chaos caused by the installation of a new junction still fresh in the minds of many. Last time, residents branded the project ‘Horsebridge Hell’ as gridlock, delays and frustration became part of daily life.
Now, it’s happening all over again – but this time for the replacement of a water main.
It’s not the only disruption drivers are facing. Right now, motorists are already battling delays in Binstead due to ongoing works on Binstead Road, with more disruption looming at Eleanors Grove where another Southern Water scheme is expected to get underway in February.
Locals are being urged to plan ahead and expect delays.
This time make sure Numpties stick to the rules
and don’t take short cuts by driving the wrong way.
Plod or Civil Enforcement officers should patrol the
lights during the works, the fines would pay the
wages.
If not place cameras.
Oh get off your high horse, it was like 2 vehicles and they’ve been reprimanded
A constant merry go round from the Utility companies.
Relentless delays, inconvenience to road users. Businesses suffering reduced footfall.
With silence from the IOW council.
I appreciate that the Island infrastructure is elderly and requires upgrading, but why can’t these roads be worked on 24/7 ? So often there is no one working after 4 pm and at weekends, or traffic lights guard a pile of equipment.
Have those who have agreed these contracts considered the costs to businesses and organisations, and the difficulties caused to those going to work and school and hospital and medical appointments?
You will be lucky to see anyone working before
4pm.
I pass roadworks everyday, and most of the time works
are not being carried out.
More time is spent sitting in vehicles shirking.
Absolutely bloody pathetic..the sheer hell we have to go through both ways.Why when it was being worked on last year could they not work along side?..
my thoughts exactly,…..
The need for replacement of the water main infrastructure hasn’t just happened … its a long-term, long-time issue.
So, as it has, therefore, been known that this water main needs replacing, for probably many years,..
why, the absolute f**k was it not done last year when the road was already closed for the junction works…
it beggars belief that the people who plan these things, are paid so much, but are so thick that they can’t even work that out..
even if (as is probably true) they don’t give a f**k about the inconvenience it causes,.. just think of the money it would have saved in traffic management alone..
they could have taken the money thus saved,.. added it to their already over-inflated salaries… & it’d still have been a win-win for everyone…
That takes brains, unfortunately there are a lack of
brains on the island, hence more unnesseccary
road works.
All being done to cause upset, chaos and frustration for ordinary people by our ‘government’. Why close Betty Haunt Lane?? Safety my arse…. Disgraceful. Why do we not protest? The French would!
hate to piss on your bonfire zoe,.. but both the junction works last year, and this water main replacement,. are both done for, and by, private companies,.. no ‘government’ involvement at all
It is almost as though the I W Council, Island Toads, S.Water, S.S.E. and Wight Fibre have a monthly meeting to plan where they can cause the most disruption and then double down on that.
Still, it could be mitigated by sunshine.
They are locking the island down with road works.
Surly when they had the road closed last time could they not have done the water mains then
That happens on the mainland.
Will they actually clear cars from Pallance Road this time or just let everyone park on it the same as last time?
Pavement parking can now be banned according to
the Government who are giving councils more power.
This Council couldn’t stop a bus at a bus stop.
If buses and emergency services can still go via Horsebridge Hill why can’t all other services shorley traffic lights can be put in place . What will happen after 6pm will everyone including emergency services have to use redirection, as happened last time. Last time I was going to Newport at w/e an ambulance with blues and twos was was trying to get threw on forest Rd. But with no room for others users to move they where stuck . Also why could this work not have been done at same time as other work.
They need staff policing the roadworks
to stop any wrong doing.
When Horsebridge Hill was shut for 3 months last time could not the water system be built into the network when they were building the road junction, surely they have to undo what they did last time to carry on with the new water system