Island Roads has said its priority will always be maintaining a ‘safe’ highway network for all users after ‘serious concerns’ were raised over the governance around Isle of Wight road closures.
The service provider told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) it welcomes any discussions about how ‘we continue to work together to achieve those aims’, ahead of an update on roadworks at County Hall today (Thursday).
Island Roads’ statement comes after the chair of the Isle of Wight Council, Cllr Ian Dore, said members from different political groups have been saying the same thing:
“The Island’s highways arrangements are not giving residents and businesses the confidence, clarity or accountability they deserve.”
His motion, passed by the local authority last week, said the recent Firestone Copse Road closure raised ‘serious concerns’ about the evidential basis, decision-making, communications, monitoring, and governance surrounding highway closures undertaken through the Island Roads Highways Private Finance Initiative (PFI) and the council’s highways function.
Councillors agreed to refer concerns as an ‘urgent’ matter to the appropriate committee or committees for consideration.
Cllr Dore’s motion also requests the council consider and make recommendations on commissioning an independent ‘contract assurance review’ of the Highways PFI, including the integration, oversight, and operation of the local authority’s highways department, at meetings in September.
The proposal asks that the matter be brought back to full council for further debate and decision, no later than November.
In the South Wight, the Ventnor Roads Group has been formed following concerns from the Ventnor Traders’ Association about how frequent roadworks, including those carried out by Island Roads and utility companies, are impacting local businesses and visitors.
