The main road between Sandown and Newport has been closed in both directions by Police this lunchtime (Monday) as a result of a collision, which has seen a power cable fall across the carriageway and a delivery van come off the road and into a ditch. Officers have shut the A3056 between Branstone Cross and Bathingbourne Lane with motorists being diverted locally via Watery Lane. Island Echo understands that an Acclaim Logistics van has, for reasons unknown, left the carriageway and come to rest in a ditch at the side of the road. The incident has brought a power cable down across the road, sparking concern for public safety. A helicopter used to inspect power cables has flown overhead in the past few minutes. It’s understood that it had been surveying the local area this morning, but after a break at Lee-on-Solent, it has returned to the Island to focus on the Branstone area. Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks have been alerted to the incident. Police say the road is likely to remain closed for some time. UPDATE @ 15:30 – The road has now re-opened in both directions. UPDATE @ 17:30 – A spokesperson for Acclaim Logistics has said:
“We would like to apologise to anybody inconvenienced because of the accident in Arreton today. “The driver of the vehicle swerved to avoid a cat that wandered into the road, and ran into a soft verge. “Fortunately, nobody was injured in the incident. “We would like to take this opportunity to thank the emergency services who attended the scene”.
