A project that will make a Seaview bridge safer for pedestrians while at the same time preserving its historic character is due to begin on Monday.
The work is needed to Gully Road Footbridge because the parapet walls were assessed as not providing enough protection to prevent people falling several metres to the ground below.
Working with the local community, Island Roads has devised a solution to dig out material from the footway to restore the original levels and, in effect, increase the height of the existing parapet.
The work is expected to last around two weeks but Island Roads is looking to see if there is scope to open the bridge to pedestrians once the resurfacing element has been finished.
Ian Hodson, Island Roads structures manager said:
“We apologise for any inconvenience to the local community while we undertake this important work.
“Having identified the need to make safety improvements then it is important that we undertake the work as soon as is practical.”
The work will not affect vehicles but pedestrians will need to take alternative routes to the beach while the structure is closed.
Reg Barry, Isle of Wight Council member for Nettlestone and Seaview, has said:
“I’m pleased Island Roads has liaised with the local community to arrive at a scheme that improves safety in a way that respects the character of the bridge
“In an ideal world, I am sure Island Roads would have started this project earlier in the year but this was simply not possible during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. It is important now that they just get on and complete the work.”
What a lovely bridge
Whilst the bridge is indeed lovely, the money being wasted is not to make the bridge structure stronger and safer, but to stop people falling over it.
Despite the fact that only some idiot walking on the wall could ever do so.
This is where so much cash is wasted, covering butt in case some thicko injuries themselves and ‘sues’.
Always too thick to behave yet always ‘wise’ enough to claim compo.
Shame the law pays low life compensation. In a country with free NHS, that is already more than most deserve.
Yes it is a very nice bridge and this is just th e type of work that could be done by people on court orders for x hours unpaid work with qualified instruction to do result work done with only cost of materials and time ,and maybe people learning something in the process has the council even considered this probably not
Inbred, A charming but very naive idea.
I have had the displeasure to have to work with these ‘offenders’ on projects.
Whilst if lucky one or two are a help, the rest deliberately cause disruption, and break or lose equipment.
They skive work, and as they can’t be ‘forced’ into such, there is NOTHING anyone can do to make them.
IF they use hand tools, they will break say a spade or fork, and pretend it was accidental. Any power tools or sharps and they are not insured to use as they are not trained and many unsafe or too volatile.
They ALL need PPE such as steel toe cap boots, safety glasses, helmets, gloves and now of course masks, gel, etc. They have to have a porta loo provided, otherwise they just ‘play’ a game, of wanting to go to the toilet, then, as soon as one drives them back to site, the next will say they need it too, and so on.
As ANY of the PPE cant be used again, the cost of having unwilling, deliberately destructive yobs, shouting crude remarks to women, smashing equipment, losing such, refusing to work if they don’t like it, wasting time by playing games re toilet, fake backache etc etc, means YOU would rather be working by yourself, as more is done, less is broken, the cost is lower, and you are not threated by some low life.
Back in the 1930’s when chained, under an armed guard, in the US working in chain gangs on roads it may look great, but in the UK, with weak PC rules, laws, and a toothless instructor, it is a NO GO.
Would YOU volunteer to be ‘in charge’ of such KNOWING the above?
Well, neither would anyone else.
As usual a simple answer, in todays P.C, weak society just won’t work anymore, but understand your thoughts, but truly an impossible dream now.
Well said! Bring back the ‘wooden walls’ and the press gang