The second phase of a £5million project to future-proof water mains is getting underway on the Isle of Wight today (Monday), bringing significant travel disruption.
Southern Water has already replaced more than 4,000 metres of pipes – some dating from the mid-Victorian period – and will today start work updating another 1,500m on Horsebridge Hill between Newport and Cowes, and soon at Elenors Grove, between Ryde and Wootton.
There have been multiple bursts along the aging mains in the past decade, and the upgrades will reduce the need for emergency works, as well as avoiding interruptions to water supply, and helping cut leakage.
One-way traffic management will be in place from Cowes to Newport until 17th April, with controlled access for buses and emergency services.
The A3054 Elenors Grove will be closed from Fishbourne to Ryde with diversions in place from 2nd February to 10th April.
Letters have been sent to explain plans to affected customers and businesses, and a public drop-in event was held.
The mains replacement programme has been carefully planned around summer holidays and the Island’s event schedule, and was developed in partnership with Island Roads, which provides highway services.
Nicholas Marshall, Southern Water’s Senior Project Manager, said:
“We know that traffic management is frustrating and would like to assure people that our teams are working to complete these essential upgrades as quickly as possible, while prioritising safety.
“We’ve made good progress on the upgrade programme so far, replacing more than 4km of outdated Island mains, with another 1,500m due from the end of this month. Over the course of 2026 we will replace another 7,000m across the Island, reducing the need for emergency works due to bursts, and interruption to supply.
“We are grateful to customers and stakeholders for their support and patience and will continue to keep them updated on progress.”
So it begins 40 minuets to get to newport this morning..brilliant and at least 40 minuets to over an hour to get back to cowes after 4..thanks for that.3 months of this shit.
Only 40 minutes, what are you moaning about!
I have just returned from an overnight stay in the
big smoke.
£18.00 congestion charge and it took me over an hour
driving just 6 miles bumper to bumper
Think how lucky you are, only 40 minutes and
no £18.00 daily congestion charge
This morning there was a long tailback from the crossroads at Forest Road, Yarmouth Road, Betty Haunt Lane and Whitehouse Road back almost to Forest Road Garden Centre. This is caused by people waiting to turn right into Whitehouse Road across the traffic travelling from Yarmouth to Newport. The problem was the same last year but noone seems to have thought to put in temporary lighhts on the crossroads, not even at peak times.
I have also heard that Betty Haunt Lane will be closed for part of the time this one way system is in place which will cut options still further. Surely that closure could be suspended, along with any planned for Middle Road, until these major Horse Bridge Hill works have been cmpleted and Forest Road returned to normal?
Shame they can’t be bothered to work over the weekends. Reducing the weeks of disruption is not a priority, evidently.
So disgusting that it is one way for 3 months!! I waited ages at the lights today to get to Newport and nothing coming the other way!! Why? Why do we British put up with being treated like rubbish?!! Wht are these multi million pound companies allowed to get away with this? Why are there not multiple teams working day and night as they do in other countries to reduce impact?