Work to install sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) on the streets of Gurnard has ground to a halt, with Southern Water confirming that a ‘permitting issue’ is currently preventing the project from continuing – casting doubt over the timeline of the key environmental scheme for the village.
Island Echo has been contacted by several concerned residents who have all reported that activity on the ground in Solent View Road and Woodvale Road stopped more than 2 weeks ago, despite the ongoing road closures.
It has been claimed that a disagreement has arisen between Southern Water, the Isle of Wight Council, and Island Roads over who will take responsibility for maintaining the newly installed drainage infrastructure once it is completed.
Southern Water has not addressed the claims that the scheme – or potentially the wider Isle of Wight programme – could be scrapped, but has confirmed that work is currently suspended due to an issue around permits.
A spokesperson for the water firm has said:
“We’re working hard to resolve a permitting issue in relation to our sustainable drainage scheme in Gurnard that is part of our wider work to reduce storm overflows on the Isle of Wight.
“Talks will continue this week between ourselves, Island Roads and Isle of Wight Council and we will provide an update once an outcome is agreed.”
It remains unclear whether the matter will be resolved imminently, and no confirmed date has been given for when work will resume. However, Southern Water has said it will keep local customers informed.
The scheme, first announced earlier this year, is one of several ‘nature-based’ solutions being rolled out across the Island in partnership with the Isle of Wight Council. Designed to tackle storm overflows and flooding, the works aim to slow the volume of rainwater entering the sewer system during heavy rainfall.
Specifically, the Gurnard scheme is targeting 1.72 hectares of roadside land and is forecast to prevent around 170,000 litres of water from entering the combined sewer during a typical 10mm rainfall event. That’s equivalent to more than 700,000 cups of tea.
In addition to reducing pressure on the local sewer network, the work is intended to bring long-term benefits in the form of lower flood risk and reduced pollution.
Roads earmarked for improvements include Albert Road, Worsley Road, Solent View Road, Woodvale Close, and the already-closed Woodvale Road. The overall programme was originally due to run for around 18 months.
In a statement, an Island Roads spokesperson has said:
\“Island Roads are supporting Southern Water and the Isle of Wight Council as much as possible to progress works in Gurnard as part of the Pathfinder Project.
“However, as they involve changes to the public highway that fall outside of our contract, it is important that the relevant legal and financial agreements between all parties are in place before these are completed to safeguard the future maintenance of the public highway.”
Surely the Numpty’s would have sorted this out
in the first place, seems no one knows what they
are doing
(The blind leading the blind)
Talking of not knowing what they are
doing, what Numpty put the road closed
signs out in Sandown
Mickey Mouse or Donald Duck!!
(so confusing)
Pathetic you couldn’t make it up..
They couldn’t plan a piss up in a brewery.
And is it a “permitting” issue that keeps half Horsebridge Hill shut while zero works in progress, but huge tailbacks, delays, wasted man-hours and fuel?
They are damaging the climate by making vehicles
take longer trips.