Middle Road between Newport and Calbourne will be closed this weekend in the interests of safety after a van driver was nearly killed when a tree came down in the last storm.
In each of the last 3 named storms, trees at Apesdown Cuttings – an area commonly known as Swainston – have fallen onto the highway. In the last storm, Storm Ciara, a tree came down and went through the windscreen of a passing vehicle. Any passenger in the vehicle would have been killed instantly as a branch penetrated through into the rear compartment.
In consultation with the Isle of Wight Council, Island Roads have decided to close the section of road until Storm Dennis passes, at which point any action needed to remove trees or branches that pose a safety risk will be taken.
While the road will be closed as a through-road from Calbourne to Newport, access to properties and businesses including the Blacksmiths Arms will be maintained. The road will be closed between Elm Lane and Betty Haunt Lane.
As previously reported by Island Echo, a yellow weather warning is in force for the Isle of Wight this coming weekend.
Dave Wallis, Island Roads operations and maintenance manager said:
“Residents will be aware that there have been several serious incidents recently involving trees falling onto the highway at this location. Following emergency works that were undertaken this week due to damage sustained from storm Ciara, we commissioned a specialist bat survey, the outcome of which has indicated that we can proceed with further works that will be required.
“However, given the forecast of Storm Dennis arriving this weekend, we have taken the decision to close the section of road through Apesdown Cuttings as a precautionary measure while the winds remain strong and until we can safely complete our works.
Article continues below this advertisement “The actual timing of this closure will depend on the weather and we will obviously seek to minimise disruption while at the same time prioritising the safety of those using the network.
“We will announce details of the closure prior to it coming into force but based on the current forecast this is likely to be on Saturday morning at 9am.
“With the recent incidents, we hope residents and regular users of this road will appreciate the need to close the road is in the interest of public safety. Our works will resume once the storm has passed and it is safe for us to complete them.”
Probably one those trees that’s been sprayed up for months to be cut down typical island roads
Yes island roads, it’s right what you have desided to do, the lives of your workers have family and friends.
I feel very uncomfortable driving past trees this time of year, it was only around twenty minutes I drove through Church Road in Shanklin when a large tree fell earlier in the week, could have fallen any time..
what next.
Would you like to be hit by one? Or have family members who have to go and clear them in these conditions like I do? I worry when they get called out to clear the roads when people can take alternative routes for a day. Does it really matter if the route takes a bit longer at least everyone is in one piece. Some people really do have selfish attitudes!
smithy Do you work for island roads. they closed because stupid divers like you
No I don’t but I know people who work for the contractors that have to clear the roads and island roads don’t do the clearing the get contractors in. I don’t like island roads either for you information .
Land owners should be made to pay for a tree survey on any trees that they own, which could potentially fall across public access areas.
IF WE had a tree in our garden which was a danger, you can bet we would be in trouble should it be left in a dangerous state.
It is about time landowners, who pay no council tax, were forced to either pay a ‘separate land tax’ for the council to then pay for surveys and remedial action, OR they are fully responsible and able to be sued for compensation IF they have trees/structures on their land, which then hurt or damage the public and its property.
Landowners have had it too cushy too long, BUT because many are rich, then ‘don’t’ expect anything to change, when the council can keep milking the less well off for more, thus subsidising the well to do.
is this the only road with trees ott by island roads
Is the road still closed