Isle of Wight MP Bob Seely is seeking a commitment from the Department for Transport that £2.14million will be spent on road safety locally, which could see a reduction of the speed limit between Blackwater and Arreton.
If approved, the scheme will see the introduction of new road safety measures along stretches of the A3056 at Arreton which are likely to include a new safety barrier and a reduction in the speed limit. Arreton currently sits at 30mph, whilst in Blackwater, the limit is 60mph.
However, there is currently some uncertainty as to whether the funding has been secured for this scheme.
Mr Seely has this week said:
“I understand that ministers are reviewing the Safer Roads Fund and therefore any funding the Island will receive. I’m keen to see our bid prioritised.
“Statistics show that the Island has some of the most dangerous roads in Britain so it’s imperative that ministers are aware of this when making their decisions.
In a letter to Transport Minister Richard Holden, the Isle of Wight’s MP wrote:
“I am writing to set out my strong support for the planned £2.14m Safer Roads Fund investment on the Island and to ask the Government for their assurance that this funding will go ahead as planned.
Article continues below this advertisement “I strongly support this funding for road safety and am confident that it can be used to make meaningful improvements on the Island.
“I am therefore asking for your assurance that any funding allocated to the Island as part of the Safer Roads Fund will go ahead in order to allow the council to bring forward the interventions needed.
Mr Seely has asked the minister to set out a timetable for when any planned Safer Roads Fund allocation will be delivered.
Another committee
Bob we can’t pay for any more people
You lot including the council have squeezed the last few pennies out of us.
And blood !!!!
It’s not the road’s that are dangerous It’s the driver’s who think they are Ayrton Senna …Lewis Hamilton etc ….
Tailgating is horrendous,,,,,,,
Surely spending all that money on reducing speed won’t change the driving of the few /??? Numptys?!?!??? .
And will working speed cameras be included in this £2.14 million to catch everyone who breaks the speed limit. The majority of accidents on the Island is down to speed or drink/drug driving. Improving the roads with barriers and putting up speed limit signs will not deter the throttle happy drivers or the chancers under the influence.
Only the law abiding will be affected, the druggies, drunks and couldn’t give a xxxx who cause 90% of accidents will still drive as they please.
When will the dim realise, it is not that people don’t KNOW the law or rules, it is they know the chances of getting caught, or, if caught the punishment is so feeble that they don’t care, and take chances.
Just because lawyers ‘use’ lack of signage etc as ‘mitigating circumstances’ is, just that, an excuse, NOT the reason for almost all crimes.
Some, only some,drive like total idiots on this Island often the causes of accidents but not the victim. Speed limits are a guide not you must do. Why would it cost £2.14 million to change a few signs.We need clear road markings and lane changes at some roundabouts like Asda, traffic lights that are actually intelligent on Coppins Bridge, traffic lights in town ( Sports Direct) that don’t change to red when knowone crossing or change to green for traffic when people half way across give way signs that can be seen, undergrowth,hedge’s cut back at junct, another lane Hare & Hounds heading to New/Bridlesford. When Island Roads doing roads why are they not widening at same time?, Got new roundabout at smallbrook ,but narrow Roads -downs
enough is enough, you now represent the party of high tax weasles, this move will finish our green land for it will be a sign apocalypse, cycle lanes and no go areas for cars like town centres, its the infrustructure of the next faze people, push back and say no or this island will sink under the preprepared influx of ‘people’ plus the 20mph everywhere and jams miles long,.how you going to feed this new lot anyway as the shelves are not fully stocked now??
It’s just not that stretch of road that the speed limit needs to be reduced, its the whole of the Island. 40 mph is plenty on our roads, there are so many roads that are 50mph just approaching roundabouts, which don’t make any sense at all. People will mostly drive at the top speed which is allowed, there would be far fewer accidents on the Island if we all reduced our speed limits to 40mph.
no – some of us want to get to our destinations before we die of old age – how about the standard of driving improves and keep the flow of traffic moving at a decent clip.
How bloody stupid . What a shocking squandering waste of money. Speed limits are taken no notice of by many drivers . Newchurch is a typical example. Mr. Seely needs to get off his backside and take a little time to monitor the speed of vehicles in 20 mph zones.
Why do you need funding like that for heaven’s sake.
Use the money to put more speed cameras up, put them all over the Island where there are straight roads and black spots.
You will get your money back in no time and continue to make a massive profit. The way some drivers speed it will be a cash cow.
Barriers….honestly…. so, when they do speed, they can crash a bit safer!
All this money and they can’t see what is obvious.
With the increasing number of people and vehicles on the island maybe time to consider a blanket maximum speed of 40 mph and 20 mph through built up areas? Would limit the cost of providing signs – as only would need the 20 mph ones. Know not everyone would like it but it works on other islands.
The issue with that is that you would no longer be able to do your driving test on the island. Also, in good conditions and good drivers 60 is fine on many roads. The people who need to slow down will not slow down even if you make it 20MPH everywhere.
Also increase pollution driving around at 20mph everywhere! More tailbacks, longer journeys!
Half the problem is people driving at 40mph, when roads are clear and save to drive near to the national speed limit.
Maybe use the money to get the roads policing unit back to the staffing levels we had before the conservatives got into power.
You could enact a blanked 20MPH limit, will never change anything with no police to enforce it.
speed cameras are a better option, they are there permanently, the police time is better spent investigating crime and catching the criminals.
That stretch of road is no less safe than anywhere else. Plus it has a natural safety feature which is traffic!!!
Waste of money again from clueless MP and council.
The Island needs a strategy which can be applied to the whole Island. Speeding and reckless driving has to be properly monitored and policed or it’s a waste of time.
I speed everyday and have never had an accident, it’s not the speed limit that needs sorting, it’s the old piss stainers in there micras and Honda jazz’s that need taking off the rd! Raise the limits don’t lower them, we would all get to our destinations quicker!!
No need for the funding, between Wight Fibre, BT and Southern Water you have a job to get past 35mph for more than a couple of minutes as it is.
Dangerous roads – more like dangerous drivers. Perhaps all those found guilty of dangerous driving, and not drunk or drugged up should attend an advanced driving training or retake their driving test before being allowed back on the roads. That would be a better deterrent than just putting speed restriction signs up everywhere. They only work if the driver is sensible and there is more of a police presence.
Its been said for years
1. Put a roundabout on the A3056 where it joins the road to Downend nothing difficult painted white circle will do.
2. Extend the 40 MPH limit through to Blackwater.
There that saves money of a feasibility study. The other limits on the A 3056 are fine .
It does not matter what the limit is there will always be people who believe they are above the law. Put the resources into properly financed and equipped police traffic department..
That comes from years of experience of dealing with fatal RTA/RTI’s and reports to HM Coroner
Rubbish, the limit IN Blackwater is 40 not 60.
This is not intelligence lead is it, I’m sure statistics would show the middle road to be the one with most collisions. I don’t think this road would be in the top ten.
Thanks Bob another strongly worded letter .. that will shake the department up to act .. too little too late as always .. you truly have no idea what the islands voice has been screaming at you.. resign and move on please .
The statistics should show the Island has the worst drivers in Britain, not roads. I followed a red Jag XF from Newport to Apseheath last week. Didn’t get over 25mph & applied the brakes no less than 35 times. The driving although not fast was horrendous, the road was its usual quaint self!!
Police roads unit up to full strength is the way forward Bob. They can test for drink & drugs. Check vehicles/drivers details & stop the odd criminal here & there. Removing the dangerous drivers & vehicles from our roads, leaving them safer for the rest of us to use. Unlike a barrier or sign, no matter how much you spend on them!!
“Statistics show that the Island has some of the most dangerous roads in Britain … who’s statistics ? There is nothing wrong with the island roads, if one knows how to drive. If want to change speed ;limits, then lower the limits through towns, to 20mph.. you know , where people are !! Not in the country where there are few if any people. Widen the country roads to give more room for cyclists. 2.4 million just for that stretch of road… you are having a laugh.. but remember, the Gov would give the money to Hampshire… not the Isle of Wight. Would then be up to Hampshire councils on where the money goes…
The pensioner party wanting us allto drive at 30mph so there reactions can keep up!!!
And pensioners having there medical episodes,,,
Interesting the isle of man doesn’t have speed limits except in towns so need I say more it would help if people can work out what that round thing is in front of them it’s called a steering wheel there’s a clue in the title……
When the boundary commission change the boundaries. Then we’ll have 2 very expensive MPs, vying for photo opportunities and talking rubbish.
It’s not the speed limits that are the problem the problem is the arrogant pricks that some how manage to be allowed a driver’s licence you know the shisters who think the rules don’t apply to them and can do as they please not giving way when legally required not indicating etc etc the penalties need to be very very harsh i.e failure to give way licence revoked FOR LIFE first offence drink/drug driving licence revoked FOR LIFE first offence see where I’m going with this when I say very harsh fines in the thousands of pounds minimum 10 years in prison all for a first offence and not either or but all of these penalties imposed and a psychological evaluation as mandatory in the driver’s test to weed out these arrogant tossers