Motorists are being warned to expect yet further significant disruption as Horsebridge Hill will be completely closed in both directions on 2 separate weekends in June and July.
The Isle of Wight Council has confirmed that the full closure is necessary to complete critical utility connections and final resurfacing as part of the ongoing road upgrade linked to the nearby Three Oaks housing development.
The road will first close from 20:00 on Friday 27th June through to 06:00 on Monday 30th June for sewer connection works. A second full closure will follow a week later, from 20:00 on Friday 4th July until 06:00 on Monday 7th July, to allow for resurfacing.
According to the council, both phases require the entire width of the road to be excavated and worked on, meaning it is not possible to maintain access for southbound or northbound traffic.
While access will still be maintained to all properties and businesses along Newport Road, all through traffic will be diverted via Forest Road, Whitehouse Road, Rolls Hill and Pallance Road.
This latest announcement follows increasing public criticism of how the roadworks have been managed. As previously reported by Island Echo, a retired highways manager branded the planning of the scheme ‘negligent’ last week, and concerns have been raised by both Cowes Town Council and Northwood Parish Council about the lack of consultation and the impact on daily travel.
Although works will be paused for the Isle of Wight Festival, with two-way traffic restored from 20:00 on Tuesday 17th June to 06:00 on Tuesday 24th June, the impending full closures are set to impact one of the busiest times of the year for local residents and visitors alike.
We’re sending service double-deckers both ways round the diversion route? Somebody needs his head feeling.
Lack of brains is the problem, from what I have
seen on the island over the years is that many
organisations and businesses are run by
clueless numpty’s.
I wish I was joking, but I am afraid I am not!
How convenient it can open for the festival, here’s a thought keep it closed and continue working then open it earlier than scheduled, why can’t sewer works be done of a night instead of closing it both ways? Why not have two way traffic lights with suggested diversion signs then its up to the individual if they want to go 6 miles extra to get home/work, its a bloody joke
THIS IS BRILLIANT SO ON A ISLAND THAT PEOPLE STRUGGLE TO DRIVE ON WE ARE GOING TO FLOW 500+ CARS VANS &LORRYS EACHDAY ON NARROW ROADS IT WILL BE MAYHEM SO WHAT ABOUT EMERGENCY SERVICES
THIS WHOLE HOUSING SITE IS CLEARLY A BACK HANDER IN THE RIGHT PERSONS POCKET DOWN IW COUNCIL
So what about residents who live on the the say Hogan road who want to catch the bus, as many do, to go to either Cowes or Newport going to do. some do it for work others for shopping.
I take it that the powers to be have made arrangements for emergency vehicles to access cowes etc over the intended closures
Why don’t they do the work at night