There is ‘bewilderment and anger’ over a roadworks scheme between Newport and Cowes that will cause considerable inconvenience to Islanders’ daily lives, a local county councillor has lamented.
Parkhurst and Hunnyhill representative Councillor Andrew Garratt criticised the handling of upcoming junction improvement works at Horsebridge Hill, leading to a 2-month one-way system on the main route between Newport and Cowes – as revealed by Island Echo last week.
All traffic heading towards Cowes will be diverted via Forest Road, Whitehouse Road, Rolls Hill and Pallance Road, Northwood. Parking on Pallance Road will also be prohibited to assist with traffic flow.
Though acknowledging the need for the works, part of Captiva Homes’s plans for the largest affordable housing development in a decade at Acorn Farm near St Mary’s Hospital, Cllr Garratt asked why councillors representing affected wards have been left out in the cold.
Instead of being involved in the process, he got a phone call on Tuesday afternoon informing him that the works would begin in 2 weeks’ time, on 12th May.
Driving back from work that day, the yellow signs at the junction were up already, with residents asking him ‘what on earth is happening?’ in phone messages and emails.
The leader of the Isle of Wight Liberal Democrats has said:
“People in this area – I live in this area – we coped with the St Mary’s junction build because we were consulted, we were able to comment on the traffic management plan, adjustments were able to be made to allow for that, the same thing was done for the St George’s widening scheme.
“The reason I’d been told that this isn’t possible to consult upon is because it’s under a different piece of legislation where it’s a third-party developer asking to do something on the highway, so it was all in some sense confidential.
“What I don’t understand is how amongst them (Captiva Homes, Island Roads and the Isle of Wight Council) they couldn’t have collectively agreed and said ok, there are some nuances to this, but we could go out to consultation: we could say, these are the sorts of things we’re looking at and how would that impact you?”
“Whether you’re a resident of Parkhust and Hunnyhill or a resident of Lake who just needs to get to Red Funnel or needs to get to work, we need information as full as possible and as quickly as possible.”
Cllr Garratt said one of the three organisations should “own the communications” for the scheme – “put out the maps, set up the weblinks, be the first point of contact for people who said ‘look, did you think about this issue because this is how it affects me?”
He added there should be adjustment when it’s needed, a definite sense that there is flexibility and information from Southern Vectis on how their service will be adapted.
Since Andrew spoke to the Local Democracy Reporter, it has been confirmed that Southern Vectis buses and blue light vehicles will be able to pass through the works in both directions.
There is more bad news for motorists… Island Echo revealed on Thursday afternoon that there is nearly 6 months of disruption on the horizon due to bridge works on the dual carriageway.
Typical councillor attitude,i know,dont do the roadworks,just let it fall into more disrepair!
just let it get done,it will be over before you know it,so stop whinging and do your job at the council,instead of whining over things that have to be done,there will be no right time to do it,but you whinge about it anyway ffs this council really are useless muppets
It isn’t road repairs; it’s works for the benefit of a developer, which probably shouldn’t have been granted planning permission in the first place.
Another councillor complaining about a Council contractor, Island Roads….. Andrew is part of the Alliance Group, why doesn’t he knock on Phil Jordan’s door, and say this can’t happen, and when Phil says no, threaten to resign, hold a by election….. Phil will then do something if he thinks he is about to lose the leadership. This is better than whinging to the press. If Andrew has a good relationship with Phil, then this would be fixed without going to the media….. something is pretty dysfunctional at County Hall.
It isn’t Island Roads; it’s works for the sole benefit of a greedy developer.
Pallance road… going to end in tears.
Must be great to sit behind a desk with a map.
Cancel the project, more homes are not needed!
There are plenty of properties available on rightmove for sale,
or better still make use of all the UNSOLD new builds
that have NOT sold.
Also make use of the derelict hotels and holiday
camps and old Ice rink.
Here, here.
It seems to me a so called representative of Craptiva keeps proclaiming ‘much needed housing’ is rubbish, what’s going on with the relationship between Craptiva & the council eh ????????