Island Roads has said that it will use available powers to ensure that Southern Water carry out reinstatement work at Ashey to the required standards.
Motorists heading in and out of Ryde face around 20 weeks of disruption as the utility company work to replace the water main between East Ashey Lane and West Street.
It has now been confirmed that Ashey Road between East Ashey Lane and Smallbrook Lane will remain closed until Christmas, with the closure then moving on to the other half of Ashey Road between Smallbrook Lane and Swanmore Road. This will continue until March 2017.
Responding to a statement requested by Island Echo on 25th October, Island Roads has today said:
“Utility companies have legal rights to make repairs and improvements to their services. It is the responsibility of the highways authority and utility companies to seek to minimise the impact of work and to ensure reinstatement of the highway is carried out to the required standard.
“Following discussions, Southern Water has at our request agreed a range of measures to minimise disruption. These include phasing of the project, weekend and night-time working and extended shifts.
“In respect of this scheme the Ashey Road work will be split into two phases. The section between Ashey Road and Smallbrook Lane should be completed by Christmas and the subsequent section between Smallbrook Lane and Swanmore Road will be completed between January and March 2018.
“As stated, Island Roads has powers to ensure all reinstatement work by utility companies is carried out to the required standards. These powers have been used on numerous occasions previously and, if required, these will be used in respect of Ashey Road”.
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Talking about the water main replacement programme, a spokesperson for Southern Water has said:
“We know road closures can be frustrating to road users, but these are necessary so we can carry out our work safely. These are agreed with the local highways authority.
“Our mains replacement scheme will reduce bursts and improve water supply – recently, the area was left without water following a burst, so it’s essential we help to prevent this in future. We have a regulatory requirement to complete this work.
“Road closures will be in place throughout the scheme and we’d ask motorists to follow the signed diversion routes.
“We always do our utmost to keep disruption to a minimum and will work closely with the community and local authorities, updating them on our progress.
“We have a dedicated scheme webpage, which will also include regular updates https://www.southernwater.co.uk/RydeAsheyRoad.”
