A major scheme to improve the main road through Godshill will begin next month, with weekday road closures expected to remain in place until January.
Island Roads will begin work on 2nd November on the section between Godshill Primary School and the village’s main car park.
The stretch has been identified as requiring improvement following feedback from the local community, alongside inspections and data gathered by Island Roads.
The project will involve excavating and reconstructing large areas of the highway to tackle underlying ground problems which have contributed to the road deteriorating in the 10 years since it was last resurfaced.
Work will continue until 11th December, when the scheme will pause for Christmas and New Year.
It is then scheduled to resume on 4th January, with Island Roads aiming to complete the work by 15th January, although the scheme has been permitted to continue until 29th January in case extreme weather causes delays.
Because deeper-than-usual excavations are required, the road will be closed at all times from Monday to Friday while work is taking place.
Island Roads says it will aim to reopen the road between Friday evenings and Monday mornings at weekends where it is safe to do so, as well as throughout the Christmas and New Year period.
The work has been scheduled as late in the year as possible following discussions with local businesses, many of which told Island Roads they rely on visitor trade through to the end of the October half-term.
The project will also be carried out in 3 phases in an effort to minimise disruption.
Traffic will be diverted via Rookley, Blackwater, Arreton, Ventnor Road and Canteen Road at Apse Heath.
There is no planned work on the diversion route during the Godshill scheme.
An Island Roads spokesperson has said:
“We have taken steps to minimise the impact of this scheme, but unfortunately it is not possible to undertake work of this nature without causing some disruption, and we’d like to thank residents in advance for their understanding.
“We have spoken first to local councillors and then to Godshill businesses, and their feedback has been instrumental in the decision to begin the work in November.
“Unfortunately, it is impossible to schedule this work at a time that will suit everyone. Although there was a consensus about a November start, we know some people in the village will still face challenges, and we will continue to work with them to provide as much assistance as possible. This includes Godshill Primary School.
“We’d like to thank the Godshill community for their engagement so far. We will continue to keep villagers and the wider travelling public updated before and during the works.”
Once the foundations have been strengthened, Island Roads – which delivers highway services alongside the Isle of Wight Council – is expected to return next year, most likely in April, to resurface the entire road.
That work is expected to take place over several nights, with the road reopening during the daytime.
The Godshill project will be the first planned major upgrade of the Isle of Wight’s strategic highway network since May, with Island Roads scheduling significant works outside the main summer season to reduce the impact on the tourism economy.
Further updates will be published at www.islandroads.com and through Island Roads’ social media channels.
Those wishing to receive regular updates about the scheme can email [email protected].
