With well over 450 calls received in a little over 24 hours, Island Roads staff have been working around the clock to tackle the effects of some of the worst weather conditions ever seen on the Island.
With the majority of initial call outs to remove fallen tress obstructing the highways or affecting power lines and landslips at Blackwater, Shorwell and Long Lane, flooding then increasingly become the issue as the tides rose in the early hours of the morning.
Coppins Bridge came close to bursting its banks with the water levels swelled by very heavy and persistent rain and there was widespread flooding in the Monktomead area of Ryde where Island Roads staff supported the efforts of the Environment Agency and the Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service. There were also reports of flooding to properties elsewhere on the Island including at Pan, Shanklin Old Village, Binstead, Brighstone, and Blackwater.
Sandbags have been made available throughout this period and Island Roads’ new Flood Response unit was also able to assist in a number of locations.
Island Roads Director Paul Herbert said:
“The combination of strong winds, heavy rain and high tides combined to create some extremely difficult conditions throughout Monday and into Tuesday morning.
“Our employees and supply chain partners, many of who are extremely experienced in dealing with weather emergencies, have said the conditions were the worst they could remember.
“Despite a great deal of preparation and planning, the sheer force of the weather front meant our crews, along with the Environment Agency, Fire and Police, were stretched to the limit. Many staff gave up their own time or worked excess hours, often in severe conditions, to try to keep the network open. Nevertheless there was significant disruption caused across the network. This is particularly regrettable at this time of the year and our sympathies go out to all those affected.
Article continues below this advertisement “We will continue to respond to the challenges posed by the current conditions after the debris has been cleared throughout the holiday period.
“I would like to thank all Island Roads staff for their professionalism and dedication in what have been some very challenging conditions.”
Among roads currently closed are at Briddlesford Road- Wootton, Nettlestone Hill, Main Road- Havenstreet, Sandown Road (near Wight Building Materials), Morton Common – Sandown, Highwood Lane- Rookley, Merstone Road, Blackwater Road (near to Scats), Newport Road – Afton, Wilmingham Lane, Freshwater, Lynch Lane – Brighstone/Calbourne, High Street- Brading, Sandy Lane – Newport, Beaper Shute, Seven Sisters Road – Ventnor, Alum Bay New Road/Old Road and Newport Shute – Newport.
Staff continue to work with contractors to clear fallen trees, tackle flooding and make damaged power lines safe so that roads can be reopened as quickly as possible.
Island Roads will continue to provide updates on Twitter @IslandRoads as roads re-open.
