One of the main roads into Shanklin will remain closed until at least Friday as SGN has been granted a further extension to its emergency road closure, more than 6 weeks after the route was first shut.
SGN has been given permission to keep Shanklin Road – between Whiteley Bank and Victoria Avenue – closed as engineers continue carrying out urgent gas mains repairs.
The road was originally closed on 23rd June for what was expected to be a maximum of 5 days following the discovery of a gas leak. More than 6 weeks later, the major route remains shut after engineers uncovered additional pipework requiring replacement towards Victoria Avenue.
The latest extension means motorists travelling to and from Shanklin Carnival on Wednesday evening will face diversions, either via Wroxall and Ventnor or via Apse Heath and Lake.
To add to motorists’ frustration, Apse Manor Road – one of the possible light traffic-only diversion routes – is also closed from today until Thursday (6th August) while Island Roads undertakes separate works.
Looking ahead, further disruption is also planned on the A3020 Godshill Road, where Openreach is due to carry out works between 18th and 19th August, resulting in another road closure.
Shanklin South councillor David Llewellyn has been told by SGN that the additional work will ensure no further repairs or roadworks are required on this stretch of Shanklin Road “for a considerable period”.
Southern Vectis buses on Routes 2, 62 and 72 and diverting locally via Lake, Apse Heath and Canteen Road.
Fancy doing such works during the school holidays
If the works are urgent should be working throughout the night.