A comprehensive programme of work to improve pedestrian accessibility is underway and will continue throughout 2021 and beyond.
Making the network safer and easier to use by all pedestrians is a priority for the Isle of Wight Council and Island Roads and both are working together on a series of such improvements across the Island this year towards that aim.
Island Roads is currently installing dropped kerbs and tactile paving in an initial phase of work at 6 locations. These sites are at Queens Road and Carvel Lane in Cowes, Culver Parade at Sandown, Springvale Road at Seaview and 2 sites in St James’ Street, Newport.
From April, Island Roads will begin similar improvement work at 22 further, yet to be agreed, sites under the Highways PFI contract while the Council is also looking to make accessibility improvements at around 10 other sites. In most cases, these will be pedestrian crossing points with dropped kerbs and tactile paving.
All this work is on top of improvements made at 50 locations under the Highways PFI in recent years, often as part of wider footway resurfacing schemes. In addition, other improvements such as the enhanced pedestrian crossings at many Newport locations, Main Road Shalfleet and at Newport Road, Lake have also been undertaken in partnership with the Isle of Wight Council.
Ian Ward, Cabinet member for regeneration and transport, says:
“The council is keen to make the network accessible and safe to all users whether that be pedestrians, car users or cyclists.
“On one hand we are delivered large schemes such as St Mary’s junction improvements which fundamentally change the way people travel on the network, easing congestion and reducing journey times. But we know also that there are other more simple and localised steps we can take that make a real difference to pedestrians, including those with prams, or who have visual impairment or mobility issues.”
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Stephen Ashman, Island Roads Service director, adds:
“Through contact with organisations such as Isle Access we know that small changes do have a really positive impact for many people.
“We look forward to working with the IW Council to continue this important work to improve pedestrian accessibility for all.”
Now this is why council tax is going up so much joke
Remember your comment when you get old enough that a dropped curb is the difference from you getting to the shops or not.
I thought the council were it bit hard up at this time. Is this work REALY necessary ? Hang on though, maybe the Island tax payer isn’t going to put their hands in their pockets for any of these vital works. I’m Shure somebody will put me right.
Dont know why I’m worrying though, isn’t the team in charge of this also in charge of the floating bridge fiasco.
I must stop taking things so seriously, Things can only get better cant they ???
“Is this work REALY necessary”
Yes. The island is for all not just for the ones lucky enough to be mobile.
I recognise that it would help disabled people, i realy dont have a problem with that. What gets me is that the cost will be out of proportion to the works carried out. Some of the prices involved can be astronomical. Was there a tender invited ? Or was it contractual to island roads to do the work?
Is there anybody to realy oversee the costs?. We only seem to see the costs after the events. Would a professional business do it this way? No it would not.
Do you remember the old dotto trains that ran for a while. The local council stopped them as they needed
some work on them, possibly upgrading. The cost quoted ran into many thousands of pounds, it was ridiculous. Could have given the work to a local garage, or maybe even the college as a project.
i wonder how all this realy works with our council???
Spot on but you have to remember they moan if nothing is done and they moan if it is. Also have you noticed how they know how much the work costs better than those who do the job. They bleet on about voting out the council but this time next year they will still be moaning because it’s gone up again.
What a waste of money we’ve all coped over the years so there’s no need to change these pavements. If anything I’ve noticed that dropped curbs for pedestrians has added to flooding issues
I bet you have two legs that work? Spare some thoughts for those people stuck in wheelchairs trying to cross roads. Provision of dropped kerbs is slowly improving. Now is the time to do it while there are not so many pedestrians about. Mothers with pushchair also make good use of dropped kerbs. As for flooding, when it rains you get wet. If you have legs that work you can walk round the puddles.
So all of these new drop kerbs are getting dug up by wightfibre next week yes?
and then a bodged repair that isnt sealed properly afterwards?
Somewhere handy for the delivery vans to park without risking damage to their tyres.
Has anyone tried using the “tactile” paving in a wheelchair? It’s NOT recommended
Tactile paving is for visually sighted people so they know the end of the pavement.
It’s not for wheelchairs – the lowered pavement is for that
JUST STOP —-‘S PARKING ON PAVEMENTS
Obviously upgrading the Island’s road network is no longer the priority of Island roads.
When they did carvel Lane it took at least 6 men in 3 trucks 2 days, 1man at a time with 5 watching.
Like to see you complete that in 2 days and you can’t count and 3 trucks as social distancing because of covid!!!!!
All Companies are the same.
1 Man does the work the others usually playing with their phones
Must be getting close to election time again. Good photo opportunity for the man behind so many disasters, makes a nice change to see something useful come from this council.
Lots of pavements round Sandown need improvements, as a disabled person i am finding it is quite hard to get around my area. You take walking for granted when you are able to but once you start loosing the ability and need aids or even a scooter to get around you find the uneven and holey paths hard to get round. Lack of drop kerbs or no alternative access when the accessible way is flooded or shut off !
That is why PARKING ON PAVEMENTS should be banned.
It is not easy for mobility scooters to get along pavements.
Isle of Wight Council do not Understand Health & Safety
Stewart and his Cronies should attend a course