Island Roads is reminding residents of an online information service that gives real-time information on roadworks across the Island.
Island Echo’s live travel map, which can be accessed directly from the homepage of the Island Echo website gives continually updated information on the location of roadworks, who is undertaking them, and the diversion route for motorists.
Island Roads recognised the high number of roadworks being undertaken on the Island at a time when, as lockdown eases, there are more people using the roads.
Over the last 6 months, there have been 4,311 such works – around a quarter of which have been carried out by Island Roads. More than 20% of the roadworks have been the result of unplanned emergency repairs by utility companies while WightFibre has also worked on more than 620 sites as part of the upgrading of the Island’s broadband infrastructure.
Utility companies have a legal right to maintain and improve their apparatus. Island Roads’ role is to work with them to minimise disruption on the network. Since last year, a new permit scheme has also been introduced designed to give better control over works by utility companies and other contractors on the network.
Island Roads’ own work is also covered by the Highways PFI contract that includes clauses stipulating when and where work can be undertaken to reduce the impact, particularly during the tourism season.
Island Roads street works manager, Iain Thornton, said:
“Through the permit scheme, our PFI contract and ongoing discussions with utility companies we work together to minimise disruption.
Article continues below this advertisement “The vast majority of our own improvement and maintenance work is planned so we are able to advertise most of this work in advance and we issue daily updates on our Twitter feed.
“But there will also always be a need for some emergency work which it is just not possible to publicise in the same way.”
Around two-thirds of emergency work is by the main utility companies and this type of work can cause additional challenges as it is hard to notify residents in advance or to factor in alongside existing planned schemes.
Iain added:
“On the Island there is also limited options to divert traffic because we are separated by sea and have defined borders. It is not like the mainland when you can re-route traffic through neighbouring counties.
“In the meantime, we can assure residents that we will continue to liaise with all contractors to co-ordinate work where possible and to minimise disruption wherever we can.”
Check the Island Echo live travel map here.
whats the point in checking online its every other road these days so no need to check on line. We have more road blockages than London
Scheduling works that close Great Preston road in Ryde immediately after it reopens from weeks of closure for Wight Fibre works doesn’t fit any description of “minimising disruption” I can think of.
Then again, Wight Fibre don’t seem to be any better – According to the traffic map they’re planning to close the road I live on until the end of August starting next week but have yet to inform local residents.
No point in complaining though because they police themselves so have no reason to take any notice.
I heard on the grapevine that island roads and Wight fibre are in a turf war, to see who can p**s off the residents and visitors the most….shhh