Efforts to reinstate two-way traffic on Marshcombe Shute in Brading have progressed, with the road set to fully reopen by the end of June.
With fears that a car could leave the carriageway and land on a live railway line in the event of a road traffic incident, Island Roads installed water barriers either side of the bridge section of Marshcombe Shute last September, resulting in a limited width and ultimately a one-way restriction of travel from Yarbridge to Yaverland.
At a Bembridge Parish Council meeting last night (Tuesday), Cllr Jonathan Bacon confirmed that work on Marshcombe Shute is to begin as early as the end of this month after a petition was launched last week to get the road reopened.
The safety works on the bridge were meant to have been completed earlier this year, but land ownership issues prevented work commencing. Having resolved the issues, Island Roads are set to start and finish the roadworks by the middle to end of June, which will also see the road fully resurfaced.
Marshcombe Shute is set to be closed in both directions for a period fo 2-3 weeks to allow for the work to be carried out from around 26th May.
Councillor Phil Jordan, Isle of Wight Council Executive member responsible for the Highways PFI, said:
“I am very pleased the scheme has finally now been approved and the council can give the go ahead to Island Roads to begin the works. It is also very sensible that the road will be resurfaced during the barrier works bringing it back onto our highways network in top condition.
“Although there is currently a one-way restriction in place, these works will require Marshcombe Shute to be totally closed for up to three weeks and there will be diversions put in place whilst the important works are carried out.
Article continues below this advertisement “There will be disruption for motorists and residents in the short term but for Marshcombe Shute to become a safe two-way road again, this closure is absolutely essential to carry out the works quickly and effectively. We will be monitoring the progress of the scheme very closely to ensure it goes to plan”.
For the latest roadwork information across the Isle of Wight visit www.islandecho.co.uk/roadworks
