Island Roads has come under criticism for carrying on with road works despite stricter guidelines on coronavirus.
Prime minister Boris Johnson announced new measures on Monday, including travelling to and from work only ‘when absolutely necessary’.
However, concerned Island residents raised alarm about whether Island Roads staff should be working when a picture of a crew of 9 was pictured on social media, working at Hooke Hill in Freshwater with little space between them.
Government guidance does say those who work in transport are key workers and Island Roads said today it would continue to deliver improvement schemes.
But one of the men pictured said the team were not happy to be working on the footpath in Freshwater, which the team had made safe earlier in the day, and thought it was non-essential. He said:
“We were all a bit confused when we were told to keep working.
“Island Roads have basically turned round and said our lives are not worth as much and our family lives are nothing compared to getting money for the business.”
The worker, who wished to remain anonymous, said the teams would be more than happy to help people more in need, delivering food to people, instead of working on a pavement and hitting targets the company need to achieve.
Island Roads today said it had taken steps to comply with government advice — including stopping all non-essential face-to-face meetings and restricting access to its HQ on Daish Way, Newport — but the health and safety of its employees and their families is always at the heart of its business.
A spokesperson said:
“We have ensured all staff have been given the necessary advice and equipment they need to remain healthy and protected as we continue our work to ensure the highway network remains safe for all users.
“As government advice has hardened, we have continued to reconcile our duty to public health with the need to maintain a functioning, safe and free-flowing network, particularly so as we all become more reliant on the great work the NHS and emergency services are delivering.
“After careful consideration, we have chosen to continue delivering improvement schemes in line with government advice at the time to keep construction sites progressing where possible.
“We recognise the St Mary’s scheme is a major project that impacts on many people’s journeys every day — we are therefore keen to keep our commitment to delivering the improvements at the earliest possible date.
“In doing this, we have created layers of separation and distancing within our crews and aim to deploy our staff in teams of no more than two in most circumstances.
“We will minimise interaction with road users and residents and respectfully request the public also respect social distancing requirements from our crews.
“We have re-iterated advice about additional safe working practices required at this time to the staff who have been working at Hooke Hill and will further reinforce this in our morning briefings.”
The company also said it will continue to review its operations to ensure they are in line with the latest government advice.
How the hell are island roads keeping with ing government guidelines when the vans are running round with 2 people in the cab within 2 feet of each other ,, come on get real .
The best yet I’ve seen recently 2 men clipping a bit of conifer tree
i passed a highway van this morning stopped looking at the road. really, totally unnecessary. Typical of our Council.
I’m a delivery driver going around st.marys roundabout only 1 person had a mask on out of around 15 people come on island roads haven’t you seen the news. BIN MEN 3 in a truck no masks ? Haven’t you seen the news.
I’ve seen bin men five to a truck and just driver wearing a mask. I understand it’s difficult and we need our bins emptied but at least give them all masks
We will no longer need decent roads as few will afford to be able to drive once this has finished.
No wonder they have upgraded all pavements, as walking will be the main way to get around by the impoverished masses. Geta, if it survives will be delighted.
Get a bike then tw@T
In the middle of last night they were painting lines on the roads in Shanklin.
Not sure how ‘essential’ that was but if nothing else then surely the wage bill for night working would be very high. With the drop in traffic I’m not sure quite how white, white lines need to be on the roads.
It’s not like the old days not a lot of extra pay for the workers working nights,less abuse from drivers more from residents poor lads can’t win
Problem is they are just doing the job they’ve been told to. It’s the management everyone needs to give the abuse to not the workers. They would much rather be at home safe with their families
I saw 4 of them erect a bus shelter the other day. Literally lifted it side by side. If they cannot do a job without 2m distances. Don’t do it.
All very noble but how do justify your workforce driving around the island in company vehicles sitting side by side and not wearing face masks etc.
Absolutely joke!! Money grabbing f$*#%… unless it’s an emergency that the blokes go home!! Island roads is a shower of S%#¥.
Golly, would you class that comment as constructive? or just a rant. Surely ones education was better than that. Instead of expletives, how about being creative. Eg: back door bangers, syphilis shifters, wet hole fallers. And for the other: rectum sliders, brown train, butt blocker. Just a few examples.
We all now have plenty of time on our hands, how about bumping up the calibre of our comments. Could make for a funnier read.
island roads= legalized criminals were do you think all your council tax is going
not so long ago they filled in pot holes at yaverland two weeks later re laid all the road what a waste of money and disruption
true numptys
Lucky you got the holes filled in, they have finally done them near me 3 months plus it took. Not far off becoming holes again – what are we paying for?
My son use to work for Island roads, nothing but bullies, only interested in profits.
Thay have a duty of care to their employees, if any were to test positive I would seriously see what legal action you could take against them for knowingly putting you and your families in harm’s way.
I’m informed that they also torn into their staff over this C19 ad if it was all their fault. I could not work for this disgusting firm.
Shame on Island Roads
I can believe this, I have heard this before. On the other hand the Team Briefing must have been interesting, how can you not work closely on repairs to roads, paths, street lighting etc without at some stage needing the assistance of someone and not stick to the current safe distance. Those vehicles could be used for better purposes at the present time, everyone else that is able is doing their bit why can’t Island Roads. Bad enough when they set up all the road works and cause a 10 minute journey to last over 40 + minutes. No planning experience at all. No sooner do they renew a path or road, Utilities comes along and digs it up.
Hope they were 2 metres apart in the team briefing!
We were.
The hard thing is they make us work with different people every day.
More chance of getting it
I also know someone who was accused of complaining about current conditions and was”spoken to” come on island roads these workers are just wanting to keep themselves and their families safe.
Do your bit like we all are or you’ll have no workforce left they’ll all be ill.
Its not just them. I work in one of the islands factories and no proper measures have been put in place for social distancing. Work areas haven’t been spread out enough, too many people in canteen areas and people standing practically shoulder to shoulder whilst talking or exchanging work with also no disinfecting of high volume areas. Government need to step in and force employers to act correctly and take the measures seriously, especially in workplaces like factories where 1 common cold can spread to everyone within a few days
Name and shame…you are anonymous on here
Neutrik, ryde
Name them! Probably gkn or vestas
Passed 2 guy’s painting picket fence in Blackwater while s pot whole in Rookly been there 2 weeks and could cause serious damage or death to motorcyclist,also road flooded signs still up 2 weeks after puddle has dried up. Essential fence painted-needed this for 3/4yrs
Island Roads is one big joke. How can they claim that line painting is carrying out essential work? What they are actually doing is putting people’s lives at risk. Maybe they are putting right some of the cock ups they have made whilst there aren’t many people on the roads to see it.
The poor sods in the crews are made to work bet the office staff and management aren’t, health and safety what hospital will they use if God forbid they have an accident
Hope all the guys working for Island Roads stay healthy and don’t inadvertently pass on the virus to thier family or anyone vulnerable
Shame on their management
Well said simon
Why the hell do they need to do work in Chale Lane…..a tiny country road around the back of Chale…..GO AWAY!…..NOT ESSENTIAL!
Trucast ryde are fully open.!
To make it clear I have been in my house for last 2 week plus in isolation therefore I am not using the road!
With these new Goverment rulings if these workers have been seen in vehicles together the company / council & possibly the workers should be taken to task!
I say the workers because they themselves have the right to refuse to carry out actions that are not allowed by law.
They are probably panicking to repair the work that is falling apart.
These road workers have no reason to be working out at this time.
All I can say is SHAME on Island Roads for allowing these workers out working with the possibility of speading this deadly virus, also our Council for letting them out working on their behalf, I presume the
Council actually monitor the work being carried out, if they do why let this work carry on!