As temperatures drop and the nights close in, Island Roads is reminding Islanders of steps they should take to help keep the road network safe this Autumn.
While the Highways PFI company switches into Autumn mode through actions such as prepping the winter maintenance fleet and increasing leaf sweeping, it is keen to remind residents of their responsibilities.
In particular, Island Roads is keen that landowners are aware of what they need to do to prevent highway flooding.
The road drainage system is only designed to carry away water that has fallen onto the highway – not water that enters the network from adjoining land and/or property. Under the Highways Act, it is an offence to allow water from private land to go onto the highway as it may pose a danger to other road users.
In recent years, Island Roads has worked positively with local organisations on the Ditch It! campaign which promotes the steps landowners should do to prevent highway flooding such as ensuring private ditches are working effectively and watercourses such as streams are clear of debris that may have collected during the summer and autumn.
For its part, Island Roads carries out regular maintenance of the highway drainage system including those drains, gullies and roadside ditches for which it is responsible.
Similarly, landowners have a duty to minimise the risk of trees or branches falling from their land onto the public highway. Autumn is a good time for detailed inspections of trees as any damage to the trunk and branches may be more visible following leaf fall. Island Roads surveys those trees for which it is responsible all year round but also has a particularly intensive annual survey of network trees so it can decide on any maintenance works needed.
For advice on steps you can take to reduce highway flooding see https://islandroads.com/storage/2022/01/Island-Roads-Ditch-It-leaflet-2022.pdf and for advice on tree management see https://islandroads.com/inspect-and-protect/.
Dave Wallis, operations and maintenance manager for Island Roads, has said:
“Though we endeavour to do what is required of us, we really do need the support of adjoining landowners who also have a major role to play in preventing highway flooding.
“While those who cause highway flooding face prosecution, prevention is, of course, better than cure and we are always ready to discuss with landowners what they need to do to ensure they meet their responsibilities.”
Lies, island roads do not clear the drains that they are responsible for. The drains on Old Road are totally clogged up with fallen leaves and other rubbish, it is a wonder any water can get down them, and it has been that way for years. Probably the same all around the island.
One thing that can make them safer is to get the farmers to clean all the mud they spread all over the roads.
Someone is having a laugh, most of the rural roads are below the level of the fields. It also applies the other way around where the roads empty onto private property.
Haha jokers! Done a great job last night!
Obviously the management at Island Roads have not seen what their
employees do, they keep safe themselves by sitting in the vehicles
Eating, smoking, vaping, drinking, texting, f@rting,and looking at magazines
with the heater on, doing F All!
Dont worry they are keeping themselves safe.
How about some enforcement then rather than complain about a couple of low branches over a pavement!
We all know the usual places where the roads flood, so why not deal with the problems?
What a joke.
The roads are all overgrown to the point that vehicles view is obstructed, Betty Haunt Lane for one and other narrow roads have the banks now taking over the road making them narrower. Dirty roads, blocked drains, state of the roads in general.
The signages are out of date…Lavender farm and Colman’s farm to name two.
Overgrown signage, gratify. It is not good enough.
Road sweeping is virtually none existent.
I don’t know who is in charge of bus shelters but have you seen the filthy state of them.
Look outside Morrisons in Newport.
Yet our Council tax goes up each year.
It would help if the hedge cuttings and lumps of wood that the tractor hedge cutters leave on the road to be turned into pulp and wash into the drains and gullies were to be cleared up this would help, also this time of year the leaves and seeds from the trees are washing into the drains, if an area is known to be at risk of flooding why not make it a priority to clear it.
Don’t let Island Road work on our roads, best thing we can do .. they put up cones and signage on a Friday ,, then start work a week later .. such a disorganised firm .. they create more problems than they repair ..
Did you know you can report issues with roads, signs, graffiti, paving etc via https://www.fixmystreet.com
Island Roads will then have to investigate and update the report accordingly. If we flood (excuse the pun) the website with reports, I’m sure it will be beneficial in the long run.
What a joke drains are often full, even though island Roads drive passed on a daily basis, the ditch at merstone is cleared out and the debris is put on top of the ditch, when it rains it falls back into the ditch why not clear it away, all the hedge cutting done by the farmers go down the drain, what does Island roads do about any of this, nothing
Island Roads have covered some drains with earth and rubble they dug up in Totland, then bleat to the public about responsibilities. I find it quite annoying to see workers sat in vehicles, avoiding the rain when they could be working. How about I.R sort their workforce out before preaching to us!
I do help island Roads. It’s called Council Tax!
Thank you Island Roads for reminding me of my responsibilities. May we remind you you are PAID to keep the roads and drains clear, that’s your job. Not like we dont know its October and leaves fall and rain comes. If the drains and overflow systems had already been prepared very few roads would flood. Dont wait until it happens and then react.